16 THE CHOICE OP A DOG 



a few hints which may prevent the inexperienced 

 from being imposed upon. I remember a case 

 coming before the Committee of the Kennel Club 

 in which it was established that the coat of an Irish 

 Terrier had been -" improved " with the aid of 

 common brown boot cream. This was at the best 

 a clumsy device, for the application of a moistened 

 pocket-handkerchief at once disclosed what had been 

 done. It is not often that a dog's natural outline 

 is interfered with by surgical operations, but occa- 

 sionally a muscle in the ear of a Collie is cut in 

 order that the end may droop over at the proper 

 angle. The scar can generally be detected, but it 

 is not so easy to tell if weights have been fixed inside 

 the tip of the ear by means of adhesive wax. The 

 presence of broken hairs is practically the only 

 remaining evidence. 



In buying an adult dog, attention should be given 

 to the eye and expression, by means of which we 

 can usually tell whether they are good-tempered or 

 otherwise. The skin should be examined carefully 

 for any evidences of eczema or mange, and it is 

 as well to seek for possible canker in the ear. The 

 condition of the teeth is also worth noting. 



