76 British War Dogs 



under training is very large, that each keeper should have 

 three, or even four, which are taken from their kennels on 

 leads. A certain amount of " swank " is evident among 

 those members of the classes who consider their work is 

 approaching that quality known as " haute ecole." This is 

 for the benefit of the less accomplished, and especially for 

 the last comers, which are drawn up in line on the opposite 

 side, and are attached by their leads to posts. These raw 

 recruits wait until all the dogs which are capable of return- 

 ing from some distance have departed. This morning 

 parade is an excellent time for the officer in charge to 

 conduct a thorough inspection of all the dogs on duty. 

 Signs of sickness are noted, and condition of health in every 

 particular, including coat, skin, and so on. 



All dogs are classified according to their work, and those 

 at the same stage of training go out together, with their 

 keepers, in groups. As I have said, they are at this time 

 in such a high state of complacency that their behaviour 

 is apt to get on each other's nerves, and the natural desire 

 " to take each other down a peg or two " sometimes results 

 in squabbles of an undignified nature. These are, however, 

 soon ended, and the next moment the combatants are 

 trotting off quite happily as though nothing had occurred. 

 It may be added that this is the only occasion when a scold- 

 ing is administered. 



I might remark here that the best weapon for stopping a 

 dog fight is a heavy stable broom, wrth good stiff bristles. 

 In the event of two dogs fighting, two keepers should each 

 seize a combatant by the tail, and hold the dog apart as 

 far as it can be drawn. The dogs will probably be holding 

 on to each other's heads by their teeth, but by drawing 

 them apart just to that point where they cannot get further 

 purchase they will not be able to increase their grip. In the 



