The Bullmastiff

Eric Makins

• Publisher: Herron Press
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN: 9781445506258
• eBook ISBN: 9781447492337

Originally published in early 1900s. The detailed and illustrated contents include: Origin and History - Clubs and Breeds - Standard - Shows - Famous Dogs - Management - Selection of Stock - Breeding - Training - Showing etc. Many of the earliest dog books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

CHAPTER IV.

Shows—and Some Famous Dogs.

THE emanicipation of the breed as far as the exhibition side is concerned may be said to have commenced on August 6th, 1925, when one class was scheduled at Bagnall (Staffs.) Open Show, the winner being Mr. S. E. Moseley’s Farcroft Fidelity and the judge being the late Mr. R. T. Baines. The number of exhibition dogs at this period was, of course, a mere handful, practically all the property of one breeder.

It is difficult to disassociate the name of Mr. Charles Cruft from anything progressive in the world of dogs, and right from the commencement of things he has continued to cater for the breed. In 1926, at Cruft’s Show, there was one class with 10 entries, the late Mr. Sam Graham making the awards, which were: First, Mr. S. E. Moseley’s Farcroft Fidelity; second, Mr. B. A. Morris’ Stand Aside, a dog sired by Farcroft Fidelity; and third, Mr. W. H. Aldred’s Topsy’s Brutus.

An indication of the advancement made during that year may be shown by the fact that at Cruft’s in 1927, there were eight classes with 47 entries. At this show Mr. J. W. Marples was the judge, and the premier awards were secured by Farcroft Fidelity in dogs, and Farcroft Silvo in bitches.

The progress of the breed was such that in 1928 the Kennel Club granted Challenge Certificates to four shows, Cruft’s, Manchester, Kennel Club, and Birmingham. The honour of awarding the first certificates for the breed fell to Mr. H. R. Brown at Cruft’s, the dog winner being Tiger Prince, who afterwards secured full honours, and who was owned by Mr. V. Smith, of the Pridzor Kennels. The bitch winner was Farcroft Silvo, who also became a champion in due course, and who, incidentally, won 14 challenge certificates during the course of her career. Second in the open dog class was Mrs. Murray Smith’s Athos, followed by Farcroft Finality, both destined for championship honours eventually. In bitches the other leading positions were occupied by Farcroft Trailer and Mrs. Murray Smith’s Noble.

CHAMPION JEANIE OF WYNYARD.

Photo., Harry Hedges, Ltd., Lytham.

PRIDZOR SUPREME.

At Manchester Mr. Sam Graham again judged, the three leading dogs being Athos, Farcroft Finality, and Tiger Prince, and bitches Farcroft Silvo, Farcroft Trailer, and Pridzor Beauty.

The Kennel Club Show in October saw the appointment of the first specialist Judge in Mr. R. S. Whitson. Here Tiger Prince reversed the order of things with Athos who was followed by Farcroft Finality. Farcroft Silvo became the first Champion of the breed. The second and third positions in the Open Bitch class fell to Mr. V. Smith’s Pridzor Surprise, and Mr. G. E. Cordy’s Bridewell Night Patrol.

The remaining two certificates in 1928 were allocated to the Birmingham Championship Show, which was judged by Count Hollender. Farcroft Fidelity took his only Certificate here, being retired from the ring afterwards, an unbeaten dog, and Ch. Farcroft Silvo again reigned supreme in the opposite sex.

The breed was now rapidly becoming known, and many breeders in the front rank to-day were busy building up their strains.

By the year 1931 classes were getting filled better, and with the advent of such enthusiasts as Lord Londonderry, Mr. Toney and Miss Jane Lane amongst others, rapid strides were made.

From 1932 onwards seems to mark the most rapid period of the breed’s development, and Cruft’s that year had an entry of 65 under Mr. J. W. Marples. Lord Londonderry secured his first certificate with Simba, and Miss Rose was successful in a like manner with her home-bred Rosland Romah. Messrs. Barnard Brothers, too, did well with their bitch, Princess Megan, who won both her classes, and was afterwards purchased by Lord Londonderry.

This same year saw Bullmastiffs scheduled for the first and only time at an Irish show, Dublin, providing four classes which were judged by Mr. W. Crumblehulme. Ch. Farcroft Felons Frayeur was the best dog, and was awarded the Green Star, the Irish equivalent of a Challenge Certificate. Messrs. Woodacre and Twibell’s Lady of Kenwood was the best bitch. Unfortunately, this date clashed with the Manchester Championship Show, and entries were undoubtedly affected. Here Lord Londonderry took another Certificate with Simba, and Mrs. Pickering’s 15-months-old Felons Deterrent secured the bitch class, and was thus the youngest Bullmastiff to win a K.C. Challenge Certificate, but this record was not to stand for long, for at the L.K.A. Show, in May, Mr. James Saunders, who took Mr. R. S. Whitson’s place as judge in the latter’s unavoidable absence, awarded the 11-months-old Farcroft Fabric six Firsts and the Certificate. Miss Lane’s Athos qualified for his title of Champion, beating Ch. Farcroft Finality and Peter of the Fenns in so doing.

Leeds Championship Show had certificates for the breed for the first time this year, as did Cardiff, and at both these events Farcroft Fabric won the bitch Certificate, and thus became a Champion at 12 months old, a record which has yet to be beaten. This bitch eventually went to an enthusiast in America, as did also Farcroft Foreman.

Hanley, of course, will always be associated with Bullmastiffs, being in the centre of the Potteries, and at the Annual Open Show the breed has usually been a feature. An entry of over seven per class was made in 1931, but even better results were obtained in 1932, when 70 entries were obtained in nine classes. This, however, was destined to be beaten the next year, for Mr. Sam Crabtree drew 90 entries in 11 classes. Since that date, however, the show has not been held. Mr. Toney’s Roger of the Fenns was made best in breed.

At Sheffield, Mr. T. Pennington won the bitch Certificate with Bubbles, and Peter of the Fenns became a Champion. Of Bubbles, Mr. Tom Scott said at the time: “A magnificent red-fawn bitch, shown in beautiful bloom, won the Certificate in a canter, and was also best in breed. Her size, bone, body shape and movement were ideal, head is a study. This is the first time I have seen her, but she impressed me greatly, and I feel sure she should have a very successful career.” This might have been a prophecy, for not only did she have a most successful show ring career, but she was the dam of such dogs as Ch. Roger of Brooklands, Ch. Bartonville Red Sultan, Jeanette of Brooklands, Bartonville Red Masterpiece, Bartonville Red Tiger and Bartonville Grand Parade, all winners of two Certificates. Bubbles followed up the Sheffield win by beating all comers at the Kennel Club, where Roger of the Fenns also took his second Green Card.

At Buxton, Mr. Pennington brought out his young dog, Bartonville Red Masterpiece, sired by Pridzor King out of Bubbles, and Mrs. Murray Smith placed him first in his only class. He followed this up by winning at Chorlton-cum-Hardy, and taking three Firsts at Cruft’s under Mr. Sam Crabtree.

Following his Manchester and Kennel Club successes Lord Londonderry’s Simba, gained his title at the Met. and Essex Show under Mr. W. J. Nichols. At Chesterton, in January of the next year, Mr. Moseley introduced a very fine dog puppy in Farcroft Foreman who, had he remained in this country, would undoubtedly have gone to the top. Winning two 3rds and a Reserve in strong variety classes at Chesterton, after a short career in the show ring, he left England for the kennels of Mr. John Cross, of Long Island, U.S.A.

The National Club during the immediate years preceding this review had formed itself into groups covering the various districts in the North and Midlands, and strong amongst these was that at Leicester, which was organised by Mr. Marriott. Classes were put on at the shows covered by the group, and it is interesting to note that then, as now, Leicester was a hotbed for the breed. The Members’ Show on December 27, 1932, drew 15 entries in each of the two classes provided, the principal winners being Mr. Mason’s Filbert Supreme, Mr. Burton’s Navigation Lion, and Mrs. Moody’s Lady Tess.

The Northern branch of the National Club at this time was in a very healthy state under the guidance of Mr. W. Crumblehulme, and at the Annual Bolton Show on New Year’s Day, when he officiated as judge of the four classes, no fewer than 60 entries were made. Messrs. Woodacre and Twybell’s Lady of Kenwood secured the Best in Breed award.

Cruft’s this year saw both Roger of the Fenns and Bubbles gain their Championship status, Ch. Simba and Ch. Farcroft Fabric being the Reserve winners. Mr. H. R. Brown made his annual appearance in, the Bullmastiff ring at Manchester, and Ch. Bubbles again took a Certificate, but was beaten by her all-conquering son, Bartonville Red Masterpiece, who won the ticket for Best in Breed.

At the Leicester Easter Show, where Mrs. D. Mullin judged, Farcroft Foreman was again to the fore as was Mr. Barratt’s Leon Invictus, who took five red cards. Mr. Barratt did very well with his dog in Leicester and the Midlands, and also bred some good stock, but, unfortunately, owing to calls on his time he had to more or less drop out of the fancy.

The W.E.L.K.S. Show at Cheltenham found Mr. Tom Pennington again in the ring going over a representative entry of which Ch. Roger of the Fenns was made Best Dog and Best in Breed, Wendy of Bulmas being the premier bitch.

In May, at the L.K.A., Mr. Holland Buckley made one of his rare appearances as a judge of the breed when Lord Londonderry’s Ch. Simba scored over his sire Ch. Athos, and two litter sisters, Castlehill Peggy Ann and Rosland Romah, took the leading positions in bitches.

In 1933 the Big Breeds Society, which caters for all the larger types of dog, was formed, and due to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Murray Smith, Bullmastiffs secured representation at their first show, which was held on May 24, at Ranelagh. No Certificates were granted for the breed that year, but, nevertheless, an entry of 45 faced Mr. W. J. Nichols, who made Ch. Athos and Princess Megan the Best Dog and Best Bitch, respectively. A noteworthy appearance at this show was the Hon. Mrs. J. Murray Smith’s fine bitch, Noble, who, although nearly eleven years old, succeeded in getting among the prize-winners, a really remarkable performance.

Entries at most shows continued on the up grade, and the Stoke Open Show at Trentham Park and Leeds Championship Shows, judged by Mr. Sid Simpson and Mr. A. W. Fullwood in that order, were no exception. Mr. Davies’ Donna Clara, a red bitch which continued to do well throughout her show career, created a very favourable impression at Stoke, while at Leeds the Certificates were taken by Mr. Crumblehulme’s Sans Faute and Farcroft Fragment. Blackpool was not so successful as regards entries, but a number of good dogs were present, the chief honours going to Bartonville Red Masterpiece and Miss Lowe’s Princess Diana, bred by Mr. Toney.

CHAMPION BUBBLES.

MR. ERIC MAKINS JUDGING BULLMASTIFFS AT BAKEWELL OPEN SHOW.

Hanley, in July, attracted the l...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Contents
• List of Illustrations
• Preface
• I. Origin and History
• II. The Modern Dog
• III. Clubs and Breed Organisations: The Standard and Description
• IV. Shows—and some Famous Dogs
• V. Kennelling and Exercise
• VI. Feeding and Grooming
• VII. Selection of Stock—Founding a Kennel
• VIII. Breeding
• IX. Puppy Reading and Training
• X. Exhibiting
• XI. Pot Pourri