Dog Showing. 383 



treat of canine subjects, and the first thing the intending exhibitor has to 

 do is to select at which show his dog shall compete. Before doing so, a 

 schedule of prizes offered, with copy of rules, should be obtained from the 

 secretary. Bead carefully the conditions under which you can exhibit ; if 

 you approve of them, fill up the entry form according to the requirements, 

 and in all things abide rigidly by the rules to which you have subscribed. 



Having determined to show, you have now to consider the amount of 

 preparation your dog requires, so that on the day of competition he may 

 be shown at his best. 



Many people are disposed to treat the condition in which a dog is 

 shown too lightly ; it is really of great importance, it adds or detracts 

 much from the good impression the dog should make on the mind of 

 the judge if the animal is to stand a chance of winning. Of course 

 condition is not everything, still rank bad ones at times have won 

 through the splendid form in which they were shown, for superficial 

 polish does much in creating a favourable impression at first sight. 

 True, he is but a poor judge who can mistake veneer for solid mahogany, 

 but be your mahogany of the very highest quality it should not be need- 

 lessly handicapped by being exhibited in a dirty and unprepared state. 



Some dogs require but little preparation, the main thing in all breeds 

 is to have them in perfect health, so that they shall be seen to advantage 

 through the fire and vigour of life displaying their forms to the best. 



Fatness is not required in any breed of dogs. It throws the natural 

 form out of proportion, and, whilst it may hide faults, it, on the other 

 hand, obliterates good points. In all and especially is it seen to effect 

 in smooth haired varieties there should be flesh hard and firm, with 

 the sinews brought up and standing out like cords ; nothing like softness 

 or flabbiness should appear. This is specially required in such breeds as 

 greyhounds, bulldogs, pointers, terriers, &c. In bloodhounds and mastiffs 

 attention to condition is often neglected, and they are to be seen loaded 

 with fat and looking as soft and unwieldly as prize pigs. In all breeds, 

 long or short coated, excess of adipose matter causes sluggishness of 

 action, whereas activity is a great characteristic of all dogs in health. 



To get dogs into the best condition for exhibition attention to numerous 

 matters of detail are necessary, and may best be here considered 

 separately. First : 



Constitution and State of Health. No trainer of greyhounds who can 



