Dog Showing. 385 



most delicate dogs. They are also remarkably cheap, and are, in fact, 

 invaluable as a kennel adjunct. Oil of male fern often proves most effec- 

 tive as a vermifuge ; the dose is from ten drops to forty drops, and, from 

 its irritating effect on the coats of the stomach causing vomiting, it 

 should be given sheathed in such a vehicle as mucilage of acacia. 



Dainty feeders are sometimes much benefited by a course of tonics, 

 which stimulates the appetite and assists in digestion and assimilation. 

 I have found cinchona most suitable, and, perhaps, the liquid extract of 

 the bark is the most convenient form. 



Feeding. I do not think it wise to adopt any strict formula in feeding, 

 much must be left to the observation of the feeder, who will see that 

 what does well for one does not answer with another in getting the dog 

 up in firm flesh and muscle ; sloppy food and fat, and fat-making articles 

 should be avoided. Many make the mistake of changing the diet 

 suddenly from a comparatively poor one to a rich one, and gorge their 

 dogs with flesh, with the consequence of throwing more work on to the 

 assimilative organs than they can perform, and hence we have a break out 

 of surfeit or blotch just at the time we want the dog's skin to be faultless 

 and his coat to be bright and clean. 



Supposing a dog's ordinary fare to be ordinary dog biscuits, with, 

 perhaps, house scraps or some equivalent for them added, there should 

 be no change further than the gradual addition of more, perfectly lean 

 meat, and, if this is stewed, the biscuits broken, and the meat and liquid 

 from it poured over the biscuits previously broken, and covered up till 

 cold enough to give, and, with the addition daily of a modicum of boiled 

 green vegetables, no better food for training on can be given. If this 

 plan be judiciously followed, the dog may towards the finish be having 

 about equal parts meat and biscuits. Two meals a day are, as a rule, 

 best, and regularity is of great importance. 



Exercise. It is imperative that, whilst thus highly fed, the dog should 

 be regularly exercised some will require clothing when having walking 

 exercise, and especially if it is necessary to take off excess of fat what- 

 ever kind of exercise is given, whether walking with a horse or in slipping 

 them for spurts, it should be regular, and managed to suit the strength of 

 the dog of course, with some breeds this is unnecessary. These re- 

 marks are designed to assist those who already have mastered the elements 

 of dog management, The exercise should always be given before feeding, 



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