Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and Disease

by Frank Townend Barton

THE GAMEKEEPERS' KENNEL ASSOCIATION

Concerning the Association

The Gamekeepers' Kennel Association has been formed with the primary object of taking over the organisation of the Gamekeepers' Dog Show as first held at the Westminster Aquarium, on 31st July and 1st and 2nd August 1900, it being deemed advisable by all parties concerned that the show should cease to be proprietary or to be promoted by any firm having trading interests with Gamekeepers. The other aims which the Association has in view are fully described in the following pages, and the Executive will do everything in their power to uphold and protect the rights of Game-preservers, recognising that in this lie the best interests of the Association and its members. The rule regarding the exclusion of undesirable persons from membership will be strictly enforced, and the Executive hope, that in time, the fact that a Gamekeeper is a member of the Association will be looked upon as a proof of ability and good character.

Donations and Subscriptions in aid of the Funds of the Association will be gladly received and acknowledged by the Secretary. Cheques and Post-office Orders should be made payable to the Gamekeepers' Kennel Association and crossed "Barclay & Co." Secretary's address is:—

Mr F. W. Millard,

Hertford, Herts.

Rules

1. That the name of the Association be "The Gamekeepers' Kennel Association."

2. That the object of the Association shall be to hold an Annual Show for the exhibition and sale of trained dogs owned by Gamekeepers, to uphold by all lawful means the rights of Game-preservers, to maintain at the Offices of the Association a register of Gamekeepers out of place, of situations vacant, and of dogs for sale, and also to promote the interests of game-preserving and Gamekeepers generally in the United Kingdom.

3. That the funds of the Association be spent in the furtherance of these and other objects considered by the Committee to be necessary for the welfare of Gamekeepers generally.

4. That a President, Vice-President, and Treasurer be elected annually.

5. That the present Committee remain in office two years.

6. That after the lapse of two years from the formation of the Association one-third of the Committee shall retire annually by rotation.

7. That the said rotation be decided according to alphabetical order.

8. That all members of the Committee retiring shall be eligible for re-election.

9. That all members of the Committee re-elected on retirement, and members elected in the place of those who resign, remain on the Committee for three years.

10. That the Committee have power to add to their number.

11. That the Secretary of the Association be subject to one month's notice.

12. That only bonâ fide Gamekeepers be eligible for membership.

13. That the definition "Gamekeeper" be understood to include, for the purposes of membership, anyone wholly engaged in the preservation of game, deer, or fish.

14. That a Gamekeeper who has been a member of the Association five years or more shall, on retiring from his duties as Gamekeeper through old age or other physical incapacity, still be eligible for membership.

15. That retired gamekeepers who wish to at once become members of the Association, be eligible for election at the option of the Committee.

16. That the annual subscription to be paid by members be fixed at 5s. per annum for head-keepers and single-handed-keepers, and 2s. 6d. per annum for under-keepers.

17. That these subscriptions be considered due on the 1st of January each year, and must be paid before the 31st of that month.

18. That members wishing to join the Association at any time other than the month of January must pay the full subscription for the current year.

19. That all under-men wishing to join the Association must be recommended by a head-keeper under whom they have served.

20. That no head-keeper, after 31st December 1904, shall be accepted as a member, without a recommendation from his employer, or another head-keeper who has already been enrolled.

21. That the Committee reserve the right to refuse any application for membership, and also to expel any member for any wilful misconduct which they decide is detrimental to the objects of the Association.

22. All members who have benefited by the Register, and not continued to belong to the Association, must, if re-elected to membership, pay any subscriptions in arrear, together with a fine of five shillings.

23. That no one except a member of the Association be allowed to exhibit at any show promoted by the Association.

24. That no member be allowed to show a dog at any show unless he has been enrolled a member since before 1st February of the same year.

25. All cheques to be signed by both Treasurer and Secretary.

26. That all persons assisting in the management of the Association who are known to have trading interests with the members thereof, be understood to hold office in their private capacity only.

27. That the Gamekeepers' Kennel Association recognise the authority of the Kennel Club, and agree to obey the Rules and Regulations laid down by the Kennel Club.

28. All new rules shall be framed and adopted in Committee.

Rules for the Conduct of Meetings

1. That the dates and places of all meetings be fixed by the Secretary, and approved by at least three members of the Committee.

2. That each member of the Committee shall receive notice of all meetings at least seven days previous to the date of such meetings.

3. Want of service of notice of meeting on any member of the Committee shall not affect the validity of such meeting.

4. That five members of the Committee be considered a quorum.

5. That votes be taken by show of hands.

6. That all questions be decided by majority.

7. That the President or Chairman of any meeting for the time being shall have a second or casting vote.

8. That minutes of the proceedings of every meeting be fairly entered into a book kept for that purpose.

9. That notices of motions to be moved at any meeting by any member of the Committee be sent in to the Secretary on receipt of notice convening such meetings.

10. That the Committee from time to time make such rules as they consider necessary for the Regulation of the proceedings at their meetings.

Legal Bureau

Every member has a right to legal advice from the Honorary Solicitor of the Association regarding any matter connected with his duties. All applications for such advice must be made through the Secretary, and letters addressed direct to Mr Everitt will not receive attention. This regulation is necessary to prevent outsiders seeking benefits reserved exclusively for members. Mr Everitt is prepared to take legal action on behalf of members and their employers at recognised fees, and his great knowledge of the intricacies of the Game Laws should ensure his engagement in all difficult cases with reference to a breach of these laws.

Veterinary Bureau

Every member of the Association has the privilege of obtaining free veterinary advice on all matters pertaining to his kennels, diseases of game, etc. Applications must be sent through the Secretary of the Association, a description of the symptoms, duration of the disease, number of animals affected, and any other information likely to be of service to the expert when forming an opinion.

The Situation Register

The Executive of the Association will make every effort to assist those of its members requiring situations, and, for that purpose, advertisements will in due season be inserted in certain papers asking gentlemen requiring Gamekeepers to write to the Secretary and state their wants. A register of members out of place will be maintained at the offices of the Association, and it is hoped that head-keepers requiring under-men will in all cases apply to the Secretary before seeking elsewhere.

Directions to be followed by Members desirous of obtaining a Situation through the Association

A member out of place wishing to be entered on the Register of the Association must apply to the Secretary for a form to fill up and return.

Each member in corresponding with the Secretary must give his number, which number will be found on his card of membership.

Should a member on the register obtain a situation by other means, he must at once acquaint the Secretary that he has been engaged.

Should a member be taken into the employment of a gentleman or head-keeper, with whom he has been placed in communication by the Secretary, he must at once inform the Secretary, that his name may be removed from the register.

Remarks

The Secretary will place members requiring situations in communication with applicants for Gamekeepers as fast as inquiries fall in, but in each case the two parties must arrange their own terms. The Executive will do their best to find suitable men for the places offered, but they give no recommendation. It is earnestly requested that members making a change will at once send their new address to the Secretary.

The Register of Dogs for Sale

The Association maintains at its offices a register of sporting dogs, belonging to its members, which are for sale, and from time to time advertisements will be placed in certain papers that dogs are on the register for disposal. It will be the earnest endeavour of the Executive to induce sportsmen, in want of well-trained dogs, to apply to the Secretary, and it is hoped that head-keepers requiring dogs will purchase through the Association.

Directions for Placing a Dog upon the Register of the Association

A member of the Association having a dog for sale must write to the Secretary for a form on which the animal and its capabilities may be described. When the Secretary receives this form back the dog will be entered upon the Register of the Association.

Each member in corresponding with the Secretary must give his number, which number will be found on his card of membership.

Should a dog upon the Register of the Association be disposed of privately by its owner, he must immediately inform the Secretary, that it may be removed from the Register. Breaches of this order will be dealt with by the Committee, because endless confusion and delay will ensue if it is not followed out.

Beyond placing seller and purchaser in communication with each other, the Association can accept no responsibility.

Rules to be observed by both Parties when a Dog goes on Trial

1. When an intending purchaser stipulates for a trial, a dog must be in his hands four clear days, the days of despatch and return not being counted.

2. The intending purchaser must be deemed responsible for the dog's safety during the period allowed for trial.

3. The carriage of a dog on the outward journey must be paid by the person to whom it goes on trial.

4. If a dog is returned after a trial as unsuitable, its owner must pay carriage on the homeward journey.

5. On a sale being concluded, the late owner of the dog sold must immediately inform the Secretary.

6. If a dog after trial is returned as unsuitable, its owner must at once inform the Secretary. Until he has done this, no further measures for its sale will be taken.

Notice

Gentlemen will much simplify the work of the Secretary if, when requiring a dog, they explicitly state their wants, and mention the price they are prepared to give.

Remarks

The Executive hope that both parties to a transaction will implicitly observe the foregoing rules and directions. When filling up the forms, an exact description of a dog and its capabilities should be given; if misrepresentation is attempted, irretrievable harm will be done to the Association and its objects. Once sportsmen are assured that the Association is a reliable source from which well-trained dogs may be obtained, they will not fail to resort to it. By observing the utmost care when filling in a form, members will be protecting their own interests, aiding the Executive, and enhancing the honour of the Association.

Stud Dogs

That Gamekeepers may be encouraged to breed true to the recognised types, the Secretary of the Association will be glad to correspond with owners of prize stud dogs with a view of securing a reduction of fees in favour of members of the Association. All members will be duly advised through The Gamekeeper of such reductions when they are allowed, and the Executive hope that the efforts they are making in this direction will be to the advantage of both members and owners of stud dogs. Members of the Association, who have valuable dogs, are particularly requested to place them at the service of other members for stud purposes.

Notice

The Secretary will be pleased to forward particulars to members who are desirous of making the Association known amongst their Gamekeeper friends. It is hoped that each member will do his best to add to the roll of the Association by inducing others to join. Forms of application for intending members may be obtained of the Secretary, who will be glad to answer all inquiries.

A monthly report concerning the work and position of the Association will be found in each issue of its organ, The Gamekeeper.

A list of stud dogs, placed at the service of members at reduced fees, is also occasionally published in The Gamekeeper, copies of this paper being obtainable from the Editor, Hertford, Herts.

Recently efforts have been made towards instituting a fund for the benefit of keepers during later life.

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