246 DOGS 



cattle doctor, looks down upon dogs, and often 

 knows little about them. If you live in the town, 

 where favourite dogs are always ailing, there should 

 be no difficulty in getting good advice. If you live 

 in the country, there is pretty sure to be some one 

 trustworthy within reach — an experienced keeper 

 with a kennel, or a sporting farmer who keeps 

 greyhounds, and may be safely trusted for simple 

 diseases. 



As I have said repeatedly, there are long odds 

 against the unlucky dogs who are confined in 

 town. The chances are all in favour in every 

 way of the country dogs, who have fresh air and 

 exercise and the free range of the fields. Instinct 

 teaches them to doctor themselves ; when out of 

 sorts, they go in for herbs and grasses, which cool 

 the blood and keep the stomach in tone. So 

 many a serious complaint is averted. But there 

 is one trouble of puppyhood which you must 

 count with, and that is distemper. There is still 

 a popular belief that all dogs must face the ordeal, 

 but that is a delusion, though comparatively few 

 escape it. Sometimes it is taken very mildly, so 

 much so that it may pass for an ordinary cold. Mild 

 or severe, it must run its course, though it will be 

 mitigated or relieved by prompt treatment. Dr. 

 Gordon Stables, an expert on dogs and their dis- 

 eases, says it is really a fever resulting from blood 

 poisoning. So, till the dog has attained his full 

 growth, the moral is that you should look out 

 sharp for any signs of it. He may have it later 



