CONDITION — CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 



teeth of a comb, which under no conditions should be 

 used when the coat is wet. If, however, there is a quantity 

 of dead hair which has to be removed, it will often be 

 found that a comb has to be used. (See Brushingy Cleansing 

 the Coat, Trimming.) 



Condition. — The best way to get a dog into condition — 

 in fact, it may be said to be the only one — is to provide him 

 with a sufficiency of wholesome food, a good kennel, and 

 plenty of exercise. On the other hand, neglect of the 

 above advice will assuredly produce loss of condition 

 sooner or later, and very probably a loss of health as well ; 

 but it may be added that animals which are required for 

 show purposes require different treatment to those which 

 are w^anted for work ; and, of course, the toy varieties and 

 delicate dogs will not be suited by a course of management 

 which is beneficial to more robust members of the canine 

 race. (See Exercise, Feeding, Kennels, Preparing for 

 Show.) 



Constipation. — Many dogs appear peculiarly predis- 

 posed to be constipated in their bowels, and as a con- 

 sequence require very careful feeding, as though medicine 

 will doubtless remove the trouble temporarily, it will arise 

 again in chronic cases, and stronger doses will have to be 

 administered. The addition of a reasonable proportion of 

 green vegetable food to the dog's allowance at meal time, 

 and compelling him to eat it, will materially assist in 

 keeping his bowels in order, and if this fails a little flowers 

 of sulphur may be given him in his food for a period, and 

 will often be found more beneficial than powerful aperients. 

 A periodical feed of liver will assist in keeping the bowels 

 open. 



Contagious Diseases may be briefly described as those 

 which are conveyed from one dog to another by personal 

 contact, or by coming in contact with people or articles 



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