We are often told there is no such thing as luck, but we are inclined to doubt it when we consider the career of this lady in connection with dog shows. Apparently with no previous experience of dogs in general, or the variety she has specially favoured, her efforts have been crowned with marked success.

I well remember the purchase of the Sheep-dog afterwards known as Wall-eyed Bob - who had many good points, and a very successful time at the shows - by a man I knew slightly, of an ostler, I think, at the stables of an inn at Dover, for a sovereign; and he told me he disposed of a half-share in the dog to another man, also known to me, for £40.

Mrs. Fare Fosse subsequently purchased the dog, mated him with a typical old-fashioned bitch called Pegotty she had picked up by chance, and from these two has built up the most successful kennel of Old English Sheep-dogs seen in this country for many years.

MRS. FARE FOSSE WITH HER CHAMPION BRACK OF OLD ENGLISH SHEEP-DOGS.

By permission of Our Dogs.

I need not say that this lady is most enthusiastic as a fancier, and really loves her dogs; and all those who, like the writer, have long bred and kept the variety will know what devoted, affectionate, and quite fascinating creatures they are - full of life and fun, overflowing with high spirits and sociability, very active, and make grand guards and companions. Probably there never were at any time within the memory of the present generation so many good specimens to be seen of these interesting dogs as during the last ten or fifteen years, mainly due to the efforts of such breeders as Messrs. Edwardes-Ker, Parry Thomas, Dickson, Shout, E. T. Rees, King-lake, Weager, Tilley, and Mrs. Fare Fosse.

Wall-eyed Bob and the Sheep bitch Pegotty, both of unknown pedigree, were sire and dam of Birthday - a massive bitch, with immense bone-and skull, and coat of wire growing in great profusion. She took several prizes, but was too low on the legs for a first-class show bitch. Only two of her litters (both by Sir James) were reared, the first containing Champion Thundercloud and Sallie in our Alley (both well-known winners), the second containing Snowdrift, Child of the Mist (both too well known to need description), and Champion Fair Weather (thought by many persons to be the best of her breed ever seen). Birthday has now joined the great majority, but she will be remembered as one of the best of brood bitches.

Mrs. Fare Fosse has been very fortunate in breeding good dogs, and goes in mostly for the Wall-eyed Bob strain, not only on account of his type and beauty, but because of his marvellously robust constitution and the healthiness of his stock. A delicate Sheep-dog is better in his grave than on the bench, and if we want healthy young stock we must see to it that our stud dogs and brood bitches are sound and in the pink of condition, else it is better to leave breeding alone.

Wall-eyed Bob must have been between fifteen and twenty years old when last shown, which was at the Royal Botanic Gardens, 1898. He won all before him, and attracted the attention of our present Queen, who honoured him with many endearing pats and words of admiration.

Bobtails improve with age, and carry their years better than any other breed, as they ought to be thick-set and muscular, and it is by no means uncommon to find a dog looking much handsomer at seven years old than ever he did at three.

This kennel is small and purely amateurish, but the dogs have really happy lives; and if you make a healthy Bobtail happy, you are certain to have him in good condition.

It was a proud day when Fair Weather came out as a puppy at Cruft's, and won her first championship, taking the same day fifteen firsts and specials, her brother Thundercloud winning the dog championship at same show. Then, while still a puppy, she took her second championship (at Crewe, under another judge), and since then she has indeed made a record triumphal march, winning under every judge all over England. Her last appearance was at Earl's Court, November, 1901, where she took her fifteenth championship, and was pronounced "handsomer than ever."

MRS. FARE FOSSE'S OLD ENGLISH SHEEP-DOG CHAMPION WALL-EYED BOB.

By permission of Our Dogs.

The last debutant from this kennel is Rough Weather, by Sir James ex Daphne, just out of his puppyhood. He took first Novice at last Kennel Club Show, and first Limit, etc., at Earl's Court. He was also bred by Mrs. Fare. Fosse, and is certainly a great beauty.

There is also Robin Adair, who has done a lot of winning, and is immensely admired for his lovely colour, coat, and short, compact body. He is a most amiable dog, the playmate of the pups, with whom he romps by the hour, and, like the amiable people of this world, is much imposed on in consequence.

Lastly, there is Ye Storme Kynge (not yet shown), who has a very serious argument with Thundercloud every time they meet. It is thought that the reason is that "Thud" boasted he was a champion, whereas the Kynge had never won a prize. However that may be, they are certainly very bad friends, and a Bobtail (though not a quarrelsome dog) never forgets.

Of the coming young stock great things are expected this spring, as they are Fair Weather's pups, and, so far, have got on splendidly.

No one would suppose, from the appearance of these dogs, that they were bred and born in such a busy part of the commercial world as the Old Kent Road, London, and it speaks volumes for the care and attention of their owner, who is fairly entitled to be included amongst Doggy People.

The portraits herewith show Mrs. Fare Fosse with some of her favourites.