USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING DOGS. 263 



courages them in this lethargic state, because the door is kept fast closed 

 against her, and she cannot have her liberty when and how she pleases. 



Even when the rain ceases and for a few hours the elements are pro- 

 pitious, advantage is not taken of the smile of the gods that be, and be- 

 cause the ground is wet and cold it is thought these poor little shivering 

 puppies must not run out and get their little (or big) paws wet, they 

 must still be kept in till the ground has, at least, some semblance of dry- 

 ness. Now, if advantage were taken of every bit of dry weather and the 

 puppies allowed a run out to exercise, even if only for half an hour, they 

 would return to their kennel refreshed, their blood would course through 

 their veins more naturally, they would play and scramble about and eat 

 their food with added zest. 



When the sun, however, puts forth his rays, if the puppies had some 

 straw, coarse shavings, or dry bracken (which is often obtainable in the 

 country) laid down in a corner of a yard or garden, they could be left 

 there for several hours, or at least during the warmest part of the day, 

 say from 11:30 to 2:30, and if a few big bones were given them they 

 would keep on the move and there need be no fear of colds. Light and 

 air are absolutely necessary to all creation, and puppies, like men, cannot 

 thrive without either; therefore if they are to be successfully reared at all 

 times of the year they must have a plentiful supply of both, which form 

 as large a part of their well-being as food. 



Dogs Barking at People Passing. — Here is another very bad habit that 

 dogs get into — generally their owner's fault, and not the dog's, because 

 if when the dog first began this it had been then corrected, this bad habit 

 would have been checked. Don't allow your dog to run out and bark at 

 any person or vehicle passing. When it does so, get your whip and give 

 the dog — caught in the act — a whipping, and you can soon break him of it. 

 Aside from the annoyance to people it is dangerous for your dog, as in 

 running and barking at a team he is liable to get in front and get run 

 over, hurt or killed. Dogs must be made to behave, as all dogs should do. 



Fighting Dogs. J — I am a lover of any and all kinds of Sport — that is 

 legitimate and not cruel. If two men want to fight — all right — they know 

 just what they are doing, and what to expect, and the one that gets licked 

 can stop when he has to — and be "counted out." I draw the line of sport at 

 dog fighting, a brutal sport (?) it is, and the man who will allow his 

 dog to fight is, just not a man, and not near as good as the commonest cur 

 dog that ekes out a miserable existence — a to be pitied — homeless and 

 friendless wanderer on the streets. I breed Bull Terriers, that would 

 rather fight than eat, if they had been starved a month, but never are 

 they allowed to fight if I can prevent it, and I generally can. I decline to 

 sell — if I know dog is to be used for fighting, as I would not knowingly 

 sell a dog for this purpose for a thousand dollars. I take this oppor- 

 tunity right here to advise any one who wants a fighting dog to save their 

 postage stamps and not write to me for a bull terrier if they want it for 

 fighting purposes. Pure bred bull terriers are seldom used for this pur- 

 pose, however, as the persons who want "pit dogs" are the kind that are 

 not willing to pay for a genuine and well bred specimen. The mixed breeds 

 used for this are commonly called "Bull Dogs," a misnomer, as a genuine 

 bull dog is never a fighting dog. 



