$74 USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING DOGS. 



iently attend himself would find it to pay him to enlist the services of one 

 of these professionals. Where there is no one deputized to act the part 

 of handler, it is left to the keepers to bring in the dog. Naturally the dog 

 will not show himself for these men as it would for its owner or some 

 one fully conversant with show ring business, and suffers accordingly. Dogs 

 are highly sensitive animals, and often when sent away without any previous 

 preparation look and really are dejected. 



The person, therefore, who aspires to be an exhibitor, and to get every 

 advantage possible out of his or her dog, will be well advised to rehearse 

 a few times the actual business of the show ring. 



Take your pups out into the road early, to accustom them to curious 

 sights and sounds, it makes all the difference at their first show. 



Accustom them to follow you without lead early, also to have on a 

 collar, and to lead nicely. This cannot be done in a field or garden they 

 know well, or they will scream and crouch, but in a road or quiet street 

 they will pay more attention to you. 



I would particularly impress on all who own dogs — especially young 

 owners — that it is not only to their interest, but it is their duty to be true 

 masters, ruling with firmness and kindness, and providing for all the wants 

 of the animal in lodging, food, and exercise on principles of common sense; 

 and it must be evident that thus only can health be maintained. If a dog 

 have not proper food provided at proper times, but be allowed to be the 

 scavenger of the yard and the street, what wonder if he become loathsome 

 and diseased, a nuisance to his owner and everyone else? If, on the 

 other hand, he be pampered, petted, and stuffed with tit-bits and sweet 

 cakes, he will lose all kindliness of disposition (the great charm of a 

 companion dog), and become a morose, peevish, snappish misanthrope, that 

 your friends may praise, but dare not pat; he will lose all beauty of form, 

 all sprightliness and elasticity of action and become an unshapely, asthma- 

 tical lump of obesity, to whom the slightest exertion is a trouble. Ladies, 

 who are the great offenders in this way should remember that dogs are not 

 valued — like prize hogs — for their fatness, and that they are never so 

 healthy and happy as when in good working condition — that is, when they 

 can take a good gallop without puffing. 



KENNEL POINTS 



Don't wash a bitch while in season. 



Don't breed a bitch until the colored discharge has ceased. 



Don't breed a valuable stud dog several times to one season. One ser- 

 vice is just as good if not better than half a dozen. 



Don't wash the bitch while in whelp. If she should get wet, out shoot- 

 ing for instance, see that she has a warm bed and rug her down before she 

 retires. 



Don't give your dogs hot food; it is not natural, injures their teeth 

 and leads to indigestion. 



Don't prevent a bitch that is in whelp from eating whatever she 

 pleases, though if you find she has a penchant for filthy matter, carrion and 

 other flotsam and jetsam of the street let her have her way, or better give 

 her sulphur in her feed. 



Don't send your bitches into water while in whelp — at any rate not 

 after the fourth week. 



Don't keep your bitches in whelp chained up or kenneled continually, 

 they should have plenty of gentle walking exercise every day, especially 

 the last three weeks before whelping. 



Don't neglect to feed your brood bitches with every food that will 



