FITS — FLAT-COATED RETRIEVER 



foods. The services of a properly qualified veterinary 

 surgeon should be obtained to treat cases of fistula. (See 

 Pi7es.) 



Fits are not at all uncommon sources of concern and loss 

 to owners of dogs, as in one form or another they are liable to 

 attack animals of all ages. Puppies, for instance, frequently 

 suffer from them as a result of teething troubles or from 

 the presence of worms ; whilst older dogs are liable to be 

 attacked by epilepsy and apoplexy. The successful treat- 

 ment of fits is, however, a subject which is far beyond the 

 powers of the ordinary amateur practitioner to deal with, as 

 much depends upon the constitution of the individual dog. 

 It is best, therefore, to obtain the assistance of a qualified 

 veterinary surgeon, or to peruse the pages of Mr. A. J. 

 Sewell's admirable work, **The Dog's Medical Dictionary," 

 in which much valuable advice is given. (See Apoplexy^ 

 Epilepsy.) 



Flag. — A name given to the tail of some breeds, such 

 as the setter. 



Flat-coated Retriever. — Of late years the flat-coated 

 retriever has become by far the most popular member of 

 the family, as he has completely ousted the curly-coated 

 variety from the position he formerly enjoyed. The origin 

 of the flat-coated dog was probably a Labrador or New- 

 foundland and setter cross, and very possibly all the three 

 varieties were concerned in his production. At first the 

 coat was far denser and more wavy than it is now, and 

 this is suggestive of a Newfoundland cross, which, however, 

 is not at all noticeable in the modern and fashionable flat- 

 coated dog. 



The head in this breed is long and wedge-shaped, flat on 

 the top of the skull, and tapering gradually towards the nose; 

 the muzzle being long, powerful, and fairly blunt. The eyes 

 are of a go'^'^ size, but not too full, the correct colour 



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