Although there is hardly one of the professional judges of dogs better, if so well, known as the subject of this sketch, I remember him as an exhibitor long before, I think, he had ever acted as judge.

As far as I remember his first fancy was Bull-dogs, and he has had a great many nailing good ones at one time and another. He was also well up in Greyhounds, in which he had been initiated by his father, who was well known in the coursing circles.

Since then "George" (as he is most often called, without prefix or affix) has ' bred, owned, shown, and judged most varieties of the canine race, and, as I said in a few words about him in the introductory chapters, I do not think anything in the shape of a dog would come amiss to him.

I should say there is no British judge who has been so often called upon to officiate in other countries as he, and his acquaintance amongst Doggy People all over the world must be extensive and peculiar.

MR. GEORGE RAPER.

From photo by Hedges, Lytham.

He is universally popular with all classes, and his genial disposition, pleasant, unassuming manners, and fund of anecdote and dry humour, make him a great favourite with his many friends, so that he is always a welcome addition to any company of Doggy People, with whom he has been so closely connected in business and pleasure for more than a quarter of a century; but, being endowed with perpetual youth, he looks more like the junior than equal in age of many of his compeers.

I am pleased to give my readers an excellent portrait (the best I have seen) of this popular fancier; any one who knows "George" as well as the writer will be aware of the multiplicity of his engagements, and how difficult it is to get hold of him - in fact, I have written numerous letters, and waited many months, before being able to give even this slight sketch; but I did not wish him to be an absentee.