Getting dogs to and from the shows around the turn of the century was often a nightmare as transport by rail was the most used method. In the best case scenario, dogs were shipped by rail in a box, then chained to the bench at the show site for four days, then put back in the box for the return trip, which might include a layover. For dogs being sent on the circuit, this was their life week after week. In the worst cases, dogs were killed. Here, an exhibitor writes a letter to the editor complaining about the cruelty of shipping dogs to the four day shows:
Another letter in support of doing away with four day shows:
A champion field spaniel who was killed while being shipped by rail:
Two pointer puppies, entered at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in 1886, died in transit:
Similar problems occurred in England as illustrated by this mention of a champion clumber owned by show judge Harding Cox being killed:
A bit about the boxes used to transport dogs by rail:
Leighton, R. (1907). The new book of the dog. London, England: Cassell
Two styles of shipping boxes in 1925:
Judy, W. L. (1925). The dog encyclopedia: a complete reference work on dogs. Chicago, Illinois: Judy Publishing Company.