294 BRITISH DOGS 



up much more readily than if allowed their freedom about a place 

 all day. Their feeding should be regular and varied, without too 

 much meat, at three months old getting four meals daily, which 

 should be gradually reduced to two meals at nine months. With 

 clean, dry, roomy kennels, proper feeding, and exercise, the breeder 

 will be spared many of the ills which so often fall on those who 

 attempt too much, with but too little knowledge. 



For the bench, given the possession of a handsome animal, no 

 special advice is necessary further than to keep the dog in 

 health by the above means. If in proper health, the coat will have 

 a fine gloss and lie, which may be somewhat improved by regular 

 grooming with comb, brush, and chamois. Dogs should not be 

 shown when out of coat or condition, which happens at least once 

 yearly to every dog. It also tends to success if a Setter be trained 

 to show himself properly, though this is frequently very difficult, 

 and sometimes impossible to do. 



Let the showman, however, remember that he is no true lover 

 of the breed if he is content to rest on his bench laurels ; but 

 he will gain the respect of every sportsman if he has his dog properly 

 broken, and regularly shot over, and, if possible, tested at field 

 trials, where, if successful, he will increase the value of his animal 

 tenfold, and at the same time have the satisfaction of knowing 

 that he has done all he could to crystallise the qualities for 

 which, after all, the breed exists namely, bringing game to his 

 master's bag. 



