Warwick Airedales - Mr Steanes
Mr. Steanes was reputedly Australia's first dog entrepreneur. He set up an agency for Spratts both in Melbourne and in Sydney. Spratts made all sorts of dog products, from biscuits and other dog foods to various dog medicines and grooming gear. Spratts also established the most famous dog show in UK, prior to it being bought by Mr Crufts. Additionally, Mr. Steanes imported famous books for sale from England and America, and distributed free pamphlets on canine diseases.
In those days, all exhibits had to display a selling price, and hence dogs changed hands quite frequently. As Mr. Steanes 'Thunder 111' was entered at £1,000 in the 1894 catalogue, one wonders whether Mr. Steanes actually paid this price for him. However, perusal of these prices makes interesting reading when the leading dogs of the day, Mentone Ringmaster and Spring (imp) were priced at £50 and £45 respectively each yet an unplaced puppy, Beeston Prince had £l,000 on his head while his litter brother was "priced at a mere £4!
In 1898, Mr. Steanes again travelled down from Sydney again, this time bringing his new import, 'JACK. Jack's name was later changed to WARWICK BRIAR, hence bearing Mr. Steanes prefix. This was not an uncommon practice at that time.
The pedigree of WARICK BRIAR published in 'The Dog in Australiasia' by Bielby in 1897 lists his dam as CHOMOLMONDLEY BRIDESMAID whereas the advertisement above lists her as CHOLMONDLEY BRIAR. Perhaps Mr Steans changed her name or alternatively maybe there was a misprint! Whichever it was, this dog brought completely new bloodlines to Australia. It is also interesting to note this dog goes back to the famous dog AIREDALE JERRY often regarded in England as the founder of the breed.
Also mentioned in this adverisement is this bitch, Steans' Champion Airedale bitch CLEVEDON PEARL