52 CONCERNING DOG SHOWS 



field, but at the same time if he is taken in the ring 

 too fat he is heavily handicapped. Serious grooming 

 should begin at least a fortnight before every show, 

 and occupy some time each day. The coat should 

 be clean to the touch, and should have on it the 

 bloom of health. The knowledge necessary to the 

 proper handling of a dog in the ring may be attained 

 by attending a few shows and watching the behaviour 

 of well-known exhibitors. Practically every variety 

 calls for a different method of showing '; for instance, 

 a terrier, needs to be alert, active, and continually on 

 the qui vive. A Bloodhound, on the other hand, 

 should be encouraged to put his nose to the ground, 

 so that the loose skin on his head may appear to 

 the utmost advantage. You will soon acquire the 

 necessary experience, but I should like again to urge 

 you to guard against excessive showing. Leave that 

 to the people who are over -keen on winning, and 

 as for yourself, always play the game like a true 

 sportsman, with due consideration for the suscepti- 

 bilities of others. Take a victory in the same spirit 

 as a defeat, and do not crow unduly over the one or 

 grouse about over the other. 



It is scarcely necessary to say that when you get 

 the dog in the building he should be well groomed 

 down before the judge begins, and always have with 

 you a clean towel with which you may give the final 

 polish. The railway journey is an unpleasant experi- 

 ence to most dogs, and they should always be 

 allowed to travel either in a hamper or a box. They 

 are then kept clean, free from draughts, and there 

 is no danger of collars being slipped. Personally, 

 I jprefer a hamper, and I will tell you why. You 

 will frequently see that the packages containing dogs 



