The first dog show.

This in the Mercury, Wednesday 22 October,1862.

CANINE EXHIBITION - In our advertising columns will be found the notification of the first
exhibition of dogs in Tasmania, which will take place at Mr. Moore's Horse Bazaar, on the 12th of next month, and when prizes will be awarded to the owners of the best bred dogs, of both sexes, (also to whelps under six months old) of any distinct variety or breed, provided they are of sufficient merit.  For the regulations of the show we must refer our readers to the advertisement, where they will find them duly set forth but we cannot omit observing that the object of the society for the improvement of the breed of dogs is a praiseworthy one as holding out an inducement to owners of dogs to cultivate a good breed of these useful animals.  We wish too that the society could adopt some efficient means of ridding the city of the numerous useless curs, which are permitted to prowl about the streets to the annoyance and even injury of the passers by.   We are aware that there is a law to punish persons who allow their dogs to roam about "unprotected", but the machinery to put this law in force is somewhat cumbersome, and if some more prompt measure of prohibition could be adopted, it would be a decided benefit to the citizens.   We look forward to the forthcoming show with some interest, and hope that the breeders of good dogs will not "be backward in coming forward"on this first exhibition of the kind in the colony.

and the Advertisement :

CANINE EXHIBITION. The First Exhibition of DOGS in Tasmania will be held at Mr. Moore's Horse Bazaar, Hobart Town, on 12th November next, when Prizes will be awarded to the owners of the best bred Dogs of both sexes (also to Whelps under six months old) of any distinct variety or breed, provided they are of sufficient merit.
Competitors must forward their entries to the Thatched House, Collins-street, on or before the 5th November, stating the breed, sex, age, and color of their Dogs, also whether bred in the colony or imported.   All Dogs must be delivered at the place of Exhibition by nine o'clock a.m., 12th November, and be provided with suitable chains and collars for their security.
The gates will be open from 12 o'clock at noon till 6 o'clock p.m. on the day of the Show, during which time a full and efficient Band will be in attendance.
                                                      Admission, 1 shilling   Children, half-price.

                                                                                                       J. HUTCHINSON,
                                                                                                               Hon. Sec.

Next week I will share the commentary and results of the first dog show held in the Australian Colonies - IN TASMANIA on the 12th November 1862 !!

Australian Silky Terriers in Tasmania

This is a copy of a newspaper clipping from the Mercury, featuring a photo of my great, great grandfather's masonry business in Macquarie Street, Hobart circa 1860 - 1880.  Right in the bottom front you will see one of the first silky coated terriers, being developed as a breed in Tasmania, with "flop ears".  So this breed has been in my family since those early days - now known and refined into the Australian Silky Terrier.