A very long list of winners by Black Drake may be quoted, and instances have more than once arisen where every prize-winner in half a dozen classes has been his child or grandchild. Amongst the most notable of his winners are Champion Wimpole Peter, Champion Black Queen (Fig. 73), Champion Bring 'Em, Champion Black Squirrel, Black Cherry, Black Maple, Colwyn Clytie, Black Pride, Black Squall, Black Quail, Black Amazon, Luton Melody, Ivy of Batsford, etc., etc.; whilst the big winners Champion Black Quilt and Black Charm claim him as grandsire.

Amongst modern sires Champion Darenth is worthy of more than passing mention, although his average does not approach that of Black Drake; for the former's career at the stud was much more protracted than that of his grandsire. Champion Darenth begat a host of winners, including Champion Blizzard, Lustre, Champion Darwen, Black Cloth (sire of Black Drake), and last, but not least, the beautiful Champion Horton Rector, who himself has made a grand start at the stud as sire of Champion Black Quilt, Horton Fern, Oracle, etc.

It is a somewhat notable fact that for every first-class dog seen of late years there have been at least three first-class bitches, and it would seem that the latter are, as a rule, blessed with superior constitutions. The consideration of this fact opens up a very pretty complication of the question of inbreeding. The last years of the past century saw a very serious preponderance of bitches, and although the dogs have increased since the beginning of the twentieth century, the balance is by no means level.

The writer's personal experience is that the death-rate from distemper is fifty per cent. higher in the case of dogs than in that of bitches, especially where the disease has attacked puppies exceeding nine months in age; an observation that has been noted, but not accounted for, by other devotees of the breed.

The utility of dog shows as a means of maintaining and improving purity of type in the canine race, without impairing utility, has often been called in question, and really the spurious evolution that has taken place in some breeds, notably in Fox-terriers and Bulldogs, is greatly to be deplored. It is a case of cause and effect, induced by the exaggeration of type, and the sacrifice of a well-balanced and symmetrical whole, to the undue and excessive development of some special "fancy" point. For instance, the craze for exceedingly narrow chests in Fox-terriers has evolved this supposed desideratum at the expense of depth and strength of rib, and consequently of power of loin and quarters. One seldom sees a well-ribbed, square-quartered Fox-terrier nowadays. Again, it was laid down that Bulldogs should be more powerful in front of the saddle than behind it, and that the shoulders should be loose, and the elbows well turned out. Harping on this string, fanciers have produced a result of which they have no reason to be proud; for what do we too often find? Weak, ricketty legs, foundered chests, and wasted loins; rendering what should be a powerful, active dog, a monstrosity and a cripple. Such examples could be amplified ad infinitum.

Fig. 73. - Mr. Harding Cox's Retriever Champion Black Queen.

Far be it from the writer to maintain that dog shows have, in the aggregate, failed to advance the objects for which they were initiated. On the contrary, the unbiassed and unprejudiced eye cannot fail to see in all directions, signs of a great advance as regards the levelling of type and the elimination of mongrels and wastrels; whilst the British public has had its innate love of the dog cultured and expanded to such an extent that where formerly few had an expert knowledge on canine subjects, it is now a rare thing to find any one who does not know, or who thinks he does not know, all about them. For the harmless hobby of dog-breeding and dog-showing has advanced with giant strides; and this is particularly noticeable as regards the fair sex, who seem to have taken to the task with that thoroughness and (temporary) ardour which are its distinguishing virtue in all its undertakings.

As regards the exaggeration of type which the writer has so strongly deprecated, it may be that the legion of specialist clubs which have sprung, mushroom-like, into existence (and the cry is "Still they come!") of late years are unwittingly the cause of this hydra-headed evil. It is true they one and all draw up an elaborate scale of points for general guidance; but the average and aggregate of these points are nearly always ignored by the so-called specialist club judges. The fact is that not one man or woman in a hundred is born with the true critical faculty; consequently these would-be wearers of the ermine are quite unable to sum up the balance of physical conformation, but persist on exercising their personal fads. One goes for colour, another for head, a third for legs and feet, and so on, and they look no further. A good dog is thrown out because it does not hold one ear in the approved fashion; a cripple or a monstrosity is honoured with a challenge prize because it has "such a grand head."

All this may seem a digression; but it is worth growling about, and leads up to the satisfactory fact that the Flat-coated Retriever, never having been god-sired by a specialist society, has not suffered in this direction, and, whilst maintaining a sound, symmetrical type, has steadily improved in quality and quantity; so that in this year of grace (1902) no breed is more level, and few more popular. At the leading shows, given a judge in whom the body of the exhibitors have confidence, and also a liberal classification, well-filled classes of high quality are a certainty. On the other hand, at minor shows, where an "all-round" judge has to deal with this variety, some of the most powerful Retriever owners hold aloof. This is a great mistake, for amongst the most popular and knowledgable " all-rounders" are men who know their Retriever quite as well as the so-called specialist. The writer never hesitated to submit his Retrievers to the judgment of such as Messrs. Marples, Gresham, and Astley, and has found little to cavil at in their decisions, whether they were favourable to himself or the reverse. On the other hand, he has known many cases where "experts" in Retriever lore and breeding, but novices in the judicial ring, have completely lost their heads when faced by a large and level class, and have in consequence committed the most obvious errors of judgment.