60 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEP DOG 



discretion. The object is to dispose the coat to the 

 greatest advantage, not to drag it out. For this purpose 

 a blunt, rather broad-toothed one is by far the best. 



To keep a coat in perfect order is an art of itself, 

 because the texture and quality vary so much that no 

 rules can be laid down which will apply to all. But 

 generally speaking the neck and shoulders are specially to 

 be kept free from tangles and matting, and the general 

 ideal to be aimed at is to retain the thickest possible 

 undercoat, particularly on hams and quarters, with the 

 strongest, longest, harshest texture above it that is attain- 

 able. To achieve this without allowing the coat to get 

 matted, and yet without pulling out too much of it, 

 requires very careful and skilful handling. If you do too 

 much the coat gets thin and silky ; if you do too little it 

 gets matted and knotted into clotted lumps. Constant 

 practice alone will teach the perfect mean. 



From time to time the bob-tail needs a bath, and well 

 repays the attention. It is not a difficult operation, and 

 only requires the application of a few common-sense 

 principles. 



First, he must have it on an empty stomach. Never 

 bathe him within three hours of his last meal. See to it that 

 the water is only lukewarm, and not much deeper than 

 the animal's knees. The larger the bath the better. A 

 plentiful supply of Spratt's dog soap, and if possible a 

 second utensil rilled with clean water of the same 

 temperature, complete the requirements. 



