The More Things Change…

~ YesBiscuit

…the more they stay the same. In perusing the 1891 issues of a dog and fowl breeder trade paper, I was struck by how many issues plaguing the fancy back then persist today. For example, we regularly hear anecdotes of a new disease or a new form of an existing disease in dogs:

An article appearing in the November 28, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal describes symptoms and treatments for a “new disease” with similarities to distemper in dogs. Treatment recommendations include whisky, opium and cocaine and the author cautions not to feed raw beef to dogs since it is basically poison.

In the December 19, 1891 issue of the same paper, a lengthy letter in response to the above article ends thusly:

Dogs being unintentionally killed by negligence:

From the August 29, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

Politics within the AKC alienating member clubs:

From the October 24, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

The dangers of hound packs running into transport vehicles:

From the October 24, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

Allegations of rigged dog show judging:

From the November 7, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

Fears of prize winners being poisoned out of malice and in this case, an actual threat:

From the November 7, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

This one is a positive: an unnamed rescuer of street dogs:

From the October 10, 1891 issue of The Fanciers’ Journal

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