si^RTiNG DOGS. ti 



which would stop a larger animal. It may be true that he is not big enough to lift a hare 

 or pheasant, but he can both stop and drag either and carry lighter game with comparative 

 ease. From the water he can recover a duck or teal with as much dexterity as any water 

 dog, while in nine cases out of ten he is an immeasurably faster swimmer. He does not tire 

 like a heavier animal, and if he does get weary he can be carried without inconvenience 

 to any one. All that is necessary is to conduct his early education exactly on the same 

 lines as I have elsewhere indicated, and to associate him in the field with some steady old 

 dog, from whom he will soon learn all that "Old Grouse" can teach. And a knowing, 

 clean little fox terrier might with some justice lay claim to be considered as a very 

 necessary part of the equipment of any well ordered shooting boat. I am not trading on 

 my imagination when I advocate the trial of the fox terrier for sporting purposes. My own 

 regret is that having but recently put its value to the test I never made use of the "little 

 varmint " long, long since. 



KENNELING, FEEDING, GROOMING, EXERCISE. 



Holding firmly the belief that " prevention is better than cure," it will, perhaps, be 

 accounted a more rational way of proceeding if the inquiry be here made into the best way 

 of keeping a dog in good health before entering upon the graver matter of restoring him to 

 it. He, then, who would have his dog in good health should personally see— 



1st, that he is well kenneled; I 3rd, that he is well groomed; and 



2nd, that he is well fed ; I 4th, that he is well exercised. 



KENNELING. 



It is of great importance that the dog in all cases, especially the young dog, should be 

 well housed. A dog accustomed to comfortable quarters is much more likely to be a stronger, 

 healthier and kinder animal in the field than one about whose domestic comforts not much 

 care has been taken. For all practical purposes the ordinary wooden kennel will do well 

 enough; but it should be raised off the ground, have a roof that will lift completely off 

 for the purpose of cleansing, and the entrance should be at one of the long sides, to 

 prevent the ingress of rain or wind, and not in front as is generally seen. Though the 

 kennel should ordinarily be placed in some sheltered corner, consideration will dictate 

 that it should constantly be moved during the summer months that its inmate may get 

 the benefit of the coolest spot going. 



In winter the litter may be well confined to straw, of which there is ever a cheap and 

 abundant supply in any part of the country. In summer bare boards are good enough, but 

 if some kind of bedding is thought necessary, common Foochow pole shavings will answer 

 every purpose, especially if they are occasionally sprinkled with spirits of turpentine, 

 which will have the effect, if not of entirely removing, at least of mitigating that great 

 nuisance — fleas. Once a fortnight the kennel should be swilled down with boiling 

 water, well scrubbed with Jeye's fluid or some other disinfecting preparation, and then 

 perfectly dried before the bedding is replaced. On no account should the dog be 

 returned to his house before it is absolutely dry. Dogs are particularly fond of lying on 

 some elevated place, and a little gratification in this respect does them a world of good* 



