ON KENNEL MANAGEMENT 59 



One dog will think nothing of trotting a dozen miles 

 behind a trap or bicycle, which his kennel-mate could not 

 with comfort follow for five hundred yards. One dog, again, 

 revels in a stretching gallop to and fro at the top of his 

 speed, racing backwards and forwards with the keenest 

 enjoyment, while his brother is content to jog placidly at 

 his master's heel. And it is quite a mistake to suppose 

 that violent exercise is essential or necessarily beneficial. 

 Just as the human being benefits more by a steady tramp 

 of two or three miles than by sprinting a hundred yards 

 at top speed, so may the dog. 



Careful study of the individual's idiosyncrasies is a 

 necessity, and common-sense the only guide. But the 

 broad rule may be accepted that a bob-tail thrives on all 

 the outdoor exercise he can get, within reasonable limits, 

 and without undue fatigue. When he comes home very 

 wet and muddy, rough dry him from head to stern with a 

 coarse towel, and put him into his kennel with a bed of 

 clean, dry straw ; for his heavy coat, though wonderfully 

 weather-proof, retains a lot of moisture when thoroughly 

 saturated. 



With regard to grooming. If a sheep dog is to look his 

 best it is necessary that his shaggy coat be constantly 

 attended to and carefully kept in order. A pair of small 

 stiff dandy brushes are the most useful allies, and the coat 

 is always to be brushed against the grain that is to say, 

 upwards, and from tail to head. A comb is to be used 

 just as little as possible, and then with the greatest 



