Related to Fancier of 20 Years' Standing to Our Dogs, 'Kennel Pupils', Our Dogs 82 (23rd Jan. 1931), pp. 213-214.
Description:

‘Sir,- May I take this opportunity of stating how glad I was to see that someone has enough grit to show up some of the characteristics of some training kennels? I cannot, however, entirely agree with him on this matter, although in some cases a pupil can do well in a certain kennel, but in how many of the leading kennels are short-termed pupils allowed to trim and prepare the dogs for exhibition? Very few, if any. Most decidedly anyone taking up this branch of work as a profession should make certain of the amount of training that should be given, and, if possible, contrive to learn this as quickly as possible and then try to improve upon it. But with a good number of pupils they are quite content with the amount shown.

Then again, you meet with some who think they are above keeping the kennels clean. No one can adequately understand dogs in general unless they have gone right through with them, taking rough and smooth together.

Now as to the teacher. How many of the owners of these training kennels are amongst the leading winners of their breeds? Very few. You may see at a number of the small shows exhibits prepared and handled by these latter of which an experienced small owner would feel ashamed.

My advice to the beginner is: Don’t always pick a big kennel as your school; you may pay a large fee and still be no better off, but find out an experienced trimmer or handler who will undertake to teach you, and you will then be on the right road to success. – Yours, etc.,

Small Owner.’