38 FEEDING AND GROOMING 



kept fit, and it is unreasonable to expect them to 

 stand a long day on the moors or in the fields if 

 they have not been carefully prepared beforehand. 

 Training Greyhounds for coursing is almost an art 

 in itself, not to be undertaken lightly by the man 

 who is new to the game. It is usual to put them; 

 in the hands of proper trainers, men who under- 

 stand every artifice for getting their charges fit and 

 strong. 



A daily grooming is essential to the well-being 

 of every dog. The animal should be gone over 

 thoroughly with a dandy-brush, and if he has a long 

 coat, a comb should also be used. For short -coated 

 dogs there is nothing better than a hair glove, and 

 a good rubbing down with the bare hands will give 

 a beautiful polish. Frequent washing is not called 

 for, but in the case of a dog kept in the house 

 it may be desirable every three or four weeks. The 

 dog should be well dried afterwards with clean towels, 

 and if he has a run to restore circulation, so much 

 the better. In winter-time ordinary cooking flour, 

 well dried in the oven and then rubbed thoroughly 

 into the coat, is an excellent cleansing agent, and 

 wood ashes, when obtainable, are even better. They 

 must, however, be well brushed out, or any damp- 

 ness will make a nasty sticky mess in the coat. 

 Serious harm may be occasioned by putting the 

 animal in very hot water. I have even heard of 

 them fainting under the operation. Let the bath, 

 therefore, only be lukewarm. 



Preparing a dog for a show demands a little skill. 

 In the first place he must be in sound condition, 

 brought about by good hard exercise, and in the 

 second place, if he is to look his best, he must be 



