1941: Dogs And Dog Shows

The year 1941 seemed to be all 'dog days.' Two hundred and thirty-two allbreed and 115 one-breed shows were held, comprising a total of 91,000 dogs and approximately 30,000 exhibitors. The orange-belton English setter Ch. Maro of Maridor won most top honors — fourteen best-in-shows.

Canned dog food sales approximated $60,000,000. An additional $20,000,000 in other sales — dry dog food, collars, equipment, etc., along with $15,000,000 in veterinary services, dog shows and other outlays, ran the country's dog bill to $95,000,000, exclusive of dog purchases (see later).

The merry little cocker still leads in registrations followed by the beagle, boston terrier, scottish terrier and wirehaired foxterrier in order.

The American Kennel Club, New York City, which supervises dog shows registered approximately 82,000 dogs. The American Field of Chicago, concentrating on hunting dogs, registered 14,000.

The canine population remains around 12,000,000 of which not more than 4,000,000 are pedigreed. The greatest increase in dog ownership has been in cities. Dog sales, for the year totaled around 600,000 dogs of which approximately one-fourth were purchased in December, principally as Christmas gifts. It can be said that an average purchase price is around $30 (total $18,000,000) and that practically all purchases are of puppies not yet five months old.

Rabies continues to appear in scattered localities but proper dog control has reduced some of the danger from it. Encephalitis however has increased, taking a heavy toll.

Better dog control and 'better dog owners' were the objectives of National Dog Week, which for 1942 will be observed Sept. 20-26.

1940: Dogs And Dog Shows

The year 1940 was a changing one in the field of pure-bred and pet dogs. War conditions abroad stopped importations from Germany and to a great extent from England.

There were approximately 195 all-breed (averaging 45 of the 108 recognized breeds) shows and 112 specialty or one-breed shows held in the United States. Approximately 80,000 individual dogs were exhibited. The largest show again was the Morris and Essex Kennel Club show, Madison, New Jersey, the world's largest dog show, 3,462 dogs actually on the benches. Other shows in order: Westminster (New York City), Long Beach, Katonah, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland.

Approximately 90,000 dogs were registered on the stud books, principally that of the American Kennel Club. Popularity of breeds on this basis were as follows — the merry little cocker leading again; the smallest of the hounds, the beagle, second; the American-made breed, the Boston terrier, third; scottish terrier; fox terrier (both wires and smooths); dachshund; the saucy little pekingese; the hunting dog — the springer spaniel; the greyhound (principally due to the large number of racing greyhounds in Massachusetts and Florida); and tenth the perennial favorite, the collie.

The total number of dogs throughout the country remained stationary, approximately 12,000,000, of which 3,000,000 are pure-bred. Small animal hospitals devoted principally to dog practice numbered 1,500 with an investment of $20,000,000.

The total food bill of the country approximated $70,000,000; $5,000,000 for remedies; $9,000,000 for supplies and accessories; and an estimated $14,000,000 for veterinary services.

The highest price per pound for a dog sale was that of $750 paid for a four-pound yorkshire terrier, or $187,50 per pound. The dog had his week also. National Dog Week, in September, when 231 cities and communities held observances in behalf of man's best friend.

1939: Dogs And Dog Shows

The dog still maintains creditably his title of man's best friend. Sales of dog food totaled approximately $55,000,000 for canned and $5,000,000 for the dry or traditional dog biscuit; this sensationally increasing market has given a new outlet for the farmer's cereals and livestock.

In registrations the American Kennel Club registered approximately 75,000 dogs; the Field Dog Stud Book 13,000, the latter mostly setters and pointers. Breed popularity on the basis of registrations for the first five breeds are in order — cocker, Boston terrier, beagle, Scottish terrier, wirehaired fox terrier.

The Pekingese leads the toy dogs in sixth place and the dachshund comes seventh. Cartoonists are making life rather difficult for the dachshund on account of its use as a symbol of Germany although 98 per cent of all dachshunds in America are American-bred.

In bird dog field trials numbering approximately 200, pointers captured major wins over English setters. There was a noticeable increase in the number of field trials for cocker and springer spaniels and the retrievers.

In bench shows, there were 209 all-breed and 108 one-breed shows, a total of 317. The largest show was the Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show, Madison, N. J., May 27, with 4,456 dogs actually benched. The coveted title of best dog in the show was awarded to My Own Brucie, a black cocker spaniel owned by Herman E. Mellenthin of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Of the toy dogs the first prize went to Sealand Moneybox, a Pomeranian owned by Mrs. Vincent Malta of Astoria, N. Y. Champion Blaken Eiger, a white poodle owned by Mr. and Mrs. Sherman R. Hoyt of Katonah, N. Y., led the non-sporting dogs; the working dog division prize was carried off by Odin Vom Busecker Schloss, a shepherd dog owned by Mr. and Mrs. S. F. Heckert of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Glenmavis Solitaire of Freedom, an airedale owned by A. L. Zeckendorf of Stamford was first in the terrier breeds. In the hound class first honors went to Herman Rinkton, a dachshund owned by Mrs. Annis A. Jones of South Orange, N. J.

In the sixty-third annual show of the Westminster Kennel Club, the most notable of American dog shows, held in Madison Square Garden Feb. 13-15, the dog judged best in show to the acclaim of 15,000 enthusiasts was the Doberman pinscher Ferry v. Rauhfelsen, owned by the Giralda Farms of Mrs. M. Hartley Dodge of Madison, N. J. The James Mortimer Challenge Trophy for the best American-bred dog was taken by the black cocker spaniel Champion My Own Brucie, owned by Herman E. Mellenthin of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. The chief challenger for this important award was Labrador, Champion Earlsmoor Moor of Arden belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Milbank; and third came that inveterate winner among Irish setters, Champion Milson Top Notcher of the Milson Kennels, Harrison, N. Y. Other main awards were as follows: best team — Croglin Kennels' Sealyham terriers Champion Nutfield Snowfall of Croglin, Champion Brash Best Man of Croglin, Champion Croglin Christina and Croglin Crest; best brace — Blakeen Kennels' poodles Champion Blakeen Jung Frau and Champion Blakeen Eiger; best hound pack — Meadow Brook Hounds' cross-bred foxhounds.

National Dog Week, Sept. 17-22, was observed in 761 communities. Dog control on account of rabies and the stray dog received considerable attention with emphasis upon better care for all dogs rather than more dogs and careless dog owners.

Although the war situation has disastrously affected dog breeding and dog ownership in European countries at war, the American dog fancier has not in any way felt unfavorable effects.

One of the outstanding developments of the year has been the increasing number of obedience trials at dog shows and the awarding of training degrees, namely, in order — companion dog, companion dog excellent, and utility dog.

The total number of dogs in the United States is approximately 12,000,000, of which one-fourth or 3,000,000 are pedigreed.