SOUTH AUSTRALIAN  BULLDOG CLUB

1909

Bulldog fanciers and others will be pleased to know that Mr. Perry has brought into Australia at last one of the famous Stone blood bulldogs, grandson of Dick Stone direct. It is still a puppy, white with red markings about the head, fairly wide, good in head and ears, a different type entirely from the other dogs in Mr. Perry’s kennels. He is named Stepping Stone, and is the same colour as his grand-sire. (The Register Tue 18 Feb 1909)

The South Australian Bulldog Club have arranged with the South Australian Poultry and Kennel Club to hold their show conjointly on June 25 and 26. The club’s programme comprises the following classes: Novice dog, puppy dog, open dog, graduate dog, novice bitch, puppy bitch, open bitch, graduate bitch. The conditions fixed for graduate dog and bitch are: “No dog eligible that has won 1st or 2nd prize up till time of judging this class.” The 22 prizes comprise medals, trophies, and ribbons, in addition several special prizes are offered, and the entrance-fee has been fixed at 1/. The judging will be in the capable hands of Mr G. M. Duncan. (Evening Journal Sat 29 May 1909)

On Wednesday the Port Adelaide Poultry and Dog Society, which is affiliated with the South Australian Poultry and Kennel Club, held its first exhibition in the Port Adelaide Town Hall. Mr. W. Perry had on view his English imported Bulldog puppy “Steppingstone,” which is a direct grandson of “Dick Stone,” owned by Mr. W. Jefferies, of London, and said to be the best Bulldog ever bred. Results were Bulldog, dog, W. Perry (1 and challenge.); Puppy dog, Law. Bitch, H. Porter (1 and special); W. Perry (2 and 3). (The Advertiser Thu 3 Jun 1909)

The exhibit of many breeds of dogs was the principal feature of the South Australian Poultry and Kennel Club’s show at the Exhibition Building yesterday. The attendance was satisfactory, and great interest was evinced in the different varieties of canine thoroughbreds. Mr. G. M. Duncan judged. The Bulldogs seemed proud of the fact that they constituted one of the best shows of this type ever held in South Australia. This pleasing result was due to the efforts of the South Australian Bulldog Club. Mr. J. H. Ward’s Rhubarb was the best of this stanch breed in the show, and he was generally considered the finest specimen that has ever met the judge’s eye in this State. Mr. E. W. Marshall’s Medindie John was also a splendid dog. Disappointment was expressed at the absence of Mr. R. Osborne’s imported Bulldog Kyneetcha Crib. Mr. J. H. Potter’s Vanity and Mr. T. Arthur’s Carmen were fine bitches. (The Express and Daily Telegraph Sat 26 Jun 1909)

Owing largely to the energy of the Bulldog Club this breed forms a grand class. Unfortunately, R. E. P. Osborne’s imported dog Kyneetcha Crib is not benched. J. H. Ward’s Rhubarb is one of the finest specimens on view. It is becoming more massive and has greatly improved since last year. Rhubarb carried off the honours in the Ladies’ Kennel Club Show in Melbourne last year. F. W. Marshall’s Medindie John is a first-class dog but has not such a good body as the winner. In bitches, Carmen, owned by J. Arthur, is typical of the breed. J. H. Potter’s Vanity is a first-class brute, but it was beaten by the former in skull and general appearance. Among the exhibits by members of the Bulldog Club is J. C. Marshall’s puppy Southern Star which has the makings of a fine bulldog.

Results: Open Dog J. H. Ward, F. W. Marshall; Puppy J. Arthur; Novice Bitch J. H. Potter; Open Bitch J. Arthur, J. H. Potter; Puppy Bitch J. Arthur; Brace J. H. Potter

Results for SABC Members classes: Novice, dog, J. C. Marshall, Southern Star, F. A. Joyner, J. J. Keenan; puppy, J. C. Marshall. F. A. Joyner, J. J. Keenan; open, dog, J. H. Ward, Rhubarb, F. W. Marshall, J. C. Marshall; graduate, dog, T. Arthur, Tommy Burns, novice, bitch, C. F. Martin, Rhuvan, C. Grivell puppy, C. E. Martin, J. Arthur; open. J. Arthur, Carmen, J. H. Potter; graduate, J. H. Potter, Combat. (The Register Sat 26 Jun 1909)

On Friday evening at the Exchange Hotel the members of the Bulldog Club held their annual dinner. The Chairman was Mr F W Marshall, and amongst the guests was His Worship the Mayor (Mr Frank Johnson). The room was prettily decorated with the national flag (the bulldog men are nothing if not patriotic) and pale blue, the club’s colour, was in general evidence. The creature comforts were well looked after by Mr. Ware s staff of trained assistants. The utmost camaraderie prevailed; indeed, the outstanding feature of the gathering was the good-fellowship which was displayed among the members. The Chairman was good, the musical programme was good, the speeches were happy and short, and there was not a dull moment. Prizes were handed to the successful men at the last show, and they were generously cheered when they stepped up to receive them. The losers came up smiling and vowed to have some of those cups next time. The bulldog’s great characteristic is that when he takes hold “he hangs on”. So do the committee, and from their calibre it is easy to prophesy that the club will go ahead. The type or standard of the local bulldog is a bit mixed at present but in due course the evenness will come and then it will have to be maintained. The Club has been in existence for only three years and the results of the committee’s work has already been to considerably uplift the standard of the bulldogs in South Australia. (Evening Journal Sat 3 July 1909)

The canine section is always a popular one at the Spring Show. The entries were satisfactory, and there were many exhibits of special interest. Mr. W. T. Wright, of Melbourne, was the judge, and spoke in complimentary terms of the excellent manner in which the dogs had been benched. Mr Wright commented on the great improvement in the bulldogs.

Results: Bulldog, J. H. Ward, F. W. Marshall. A. Williams; puppy, dog, J. Arthur, F. P. Shipster (2 and 3); bitch, J. H. Potter (1 and 3), C. E. Martin (2); puppy, bitch, C. E. Martin, J. Arthur, P. A. Smith. (The Register Fri 17 Sep 1909)

The annual meeting of the South Australian Bulldog Club was held at the Exchange Hotel on Wednesday evening. The President (Mr. F. W. Marshall) presided over a good attendance. The report stated that progress had been steady and the membership was now over 40.  The committee had made one big move in arranging with the Poultry and Kennel Club to provide classes in which only members of the Bulldog Club could compete. The entries numbered 40. The success of the show was due chiefly to splendid support received by followers of the breed: Mesrs. A. Franklin, E. C. Murch, Millar, Reid and R. E. P. Osborne. The number of breeders had increased slowly, and during the ensuing year competition for the breeders’ trophies was sure to be keen. The puppies shown in June did not exhibit the all-round improvement of the previous year, but the next show was bound to bring out the finest show of puppies ever bred in one State. Committee elected: Messrs F W Marshall, P. Merck. R. Wemyss, J. H. Porter, A. P. Nash, W. Miller, Reid and J. H. Ward. A handsome breeders’ trophy, won for the time by J. H. Potter, was exhibited at the meeting. Messr. Gent, Osborne, Crosby, Smith and Potter contributed to a social programme. (The Register Thu 30 Sep 1909)

Size in Bulldogs. Not a few of our breeders think that Taraxacum is too large for a Bulldog. They seem to think the bulldog should be under 60 lb. Mr. A. P. Nash, who has recently returned from England, saw first class dogs weighing 70 lb. Mr. Nash is, perhaps, the only Bulldog breeder who has won championships in England, America, and Australia. His visit and the information he is imparting to South Australian breeders should prove of great service. Talking of size our friends would be astonished if they saw another Toro. This dog weighed 90 lb., in show condition, and was imported into England from Spain by Mr. Adcock in the seventies. He was reported in the ‘Field’ as a good specimen. (Chronicle Sat 13 Nov 1909)

The vigorous body of fanciers, the S.A. Bulldog Club, recently held a smoke social, at which several dogs were present for inspection and the customary verbal dissection. Various members scored the dogs, and there was a “wonderful variety of opinions as to the respective merits of the exhibits. Mr. A. P. Nash, who recently returned from a trip to England gave impressions of his visit. An enjoyable evening was spent. (The Express and Telegraph Sat 20 Nov 1909)