MISS MACKENZIE'S ITALIAN GREYHOUNDS CHAMPION AND PREMIER STELLIO, AND VINO.

From photo by C. Herman, Camberwell.

All the many admirers of the graceful and elegant little dogs known as Italian Greyhounds will know the subject of this slight sketch, as I think Miss Mackenzie has been associated with the variety longer than any breeder or exhibitor now living, commencing in 1867, and has been most constant and persevering in her support of the classes at some of our best shows, very often being the only exhibitor making entries in them, and on some . occasions she has officiated as a judge, which should be well within her knowledge of the breed.

In the photograph I am able to give of Miss Mackenzie she has on her lap the puppy Vino, which won first prize at the last show at the Alexandra Palace in the Puppy Class, and is a descendant of some of his owner's prize stock.

To show the length of time these beautiful dogs have remained in favour as ladies' pets, Miss Mackenzie has kindly lent me for reproduction the photograph of a painting by the late Sir Joshua Reynolds of a former Lady Cathcart, accompanied by an infant and an Italian Greyhound, the painting being nearly a hundred and twenty years old.

Even to name the dogs Miss Mackenzie has shown and the prizes they have won would make a longer list than I fear I can find space for - Leo, Victor, Carlo, Como, Angelo, Pedro, Rollo, Finette, Fairo, Jack, Stellio, Cerito, Dido, Juno, Hero, and Sappho were some of her greatest prize winners; but suffice it to say, I imagine she can truthfully assert that no other breeder of the variety has either bred or shown so often as she has done, and, as a general rule, "put down" her exhibits in capital form, and although some of the judges, the writer amongst the number, occasionally have shown a preference for a good little one over a good larger specimen, 1 am sure all have admired the pluck and determination with which Miss Mackenzie has kept pegging away at her breeding and showing, and undoubtedly been the means, in a great measure, of keeping up a strain of charming pet animals, which were much in need of encouragement and support by Doggy People. I am pleased to say these beautiful little dogs have now a club of their own and many zealous friends, who are doing their best to produce good specimens, so that we may look forward to seeing much larger entries of them in the future, when classes and judges are suitably provided.

MISS MACKENZIE.

From photo by C. Herman, Camberwell.

I give herewith capital portraits of two of Miss Mackenzie's elegant little pets, accompanied by a young friend.

JANE, LADY CATHCART.

Sir Joshua Reynolds pinx.