DANDY BRUSH — DEBILITY 



Dandy Brush. — A long, bristled, rather hard brush, 

 which is strongly recommended for grooming the coats 

 of dogs. (See Brushing^ Cleansing Coats.) 



Dare-devils. — A title bestowed upon the Irish terrier 

 by some of his admirers. (See Irish Terrier.) 



Deafness may be the result of varying causes, but if 

 a dog is born deaf it is not likely that any treatment will 

 relieve him of the infirmity. It may be observed that the 

 belief exists amongst some people that white dogs are 

 more often deaf than those of any other colour, but it 

 is difficult to realise that there is any solid foundation for 

 this superstition, although no doubt many bull terriers 

 were so afflicted, but probably this was due to the practice 

 of cropping. Any attempt to cure a dog that is born deaf 

 is hopeless, but should the infirmity attack one in after 

 life professional skill will in many cases alleviate the evil, if 

 even it does not entirely remove it ; but the successful treat- 

 ment of deafness is quite beyond the skill of the amateur 

 practitioner. 



Debility. — When a dog is run down, or is constitution- 

 ally weak, it obviously becomes the duty of his owner to 

 endeavour to set him up by the aid of good strengthenmg 

 food and tonics. It does not at all follow, however, that the 

 animal should be placed upon a rich or heating diet — 

 rather the reverse — as if he is he may be incapable of 

 digesting or retaining the food, which in consequence w^ill 

 not nourish him. If the appetite remains fairly good the 

 dog may be given Spratt's biscuits, or if he belongs to one 

 of the larger breeds, Spratt's Rodnim soaked in strong 

 broth made from sheep's heads, to which some of the meat 

 may be added. An occasional change to raw, lean meat 

 cut up small will be found beneficial, but the meals should 

 be small and frequent, as well as varied, as it is a mistake 

 to overload the stomach. In the case of small or very 



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