126 CONDITION 



Condition, 



The term condition, as applied to dog's, is correspondent 

 with the same term as used among horses ; and is intended to 

 characterise a healthy external appearance, united with a ca- 

 pability, from full wind and perfect vigour, to go through all 

 the exercises required of them. It is, therefore, evident, that 

 condition is of material consequence to sportsmen : indeed, it 

 is of infinitely more importance than is generally imagined. 

 What would be thought of the sporting character, who should 

 enter his horse for racing without any previous training? 

 And how much chance would he be presumed to have, evert 

 to save his distance, without this precaution ? Is it not equally 

 reasonable to suppose that pointers, setters, spaniels, and , more 

 than all, greyhounds, require training ; or, in other words, 

 to be in full condition also ? It is notorious, that pointers, 

 setters, and spaniels, if they are what is termed foul in their 

 coats, never have their scent in perfection. It must be equally 

 evident that, unless they are in wind, they cannot range with 

 speed and durability ; and, without some previous training, it 

 is impossible they should be in full wind. Those persons, 

 therefore, who expect superior exertion from their dogs in the 

 field, would do well to prepare them by a previous atten- 

 tion to their condition. In greyhounds, intended either for 

 matches, or simple coursing, it is evident that this is abso- 

 lutely necessary to insure success. In simple or mere cours- 

 ing, they are pitted against an animal very nearly equal in 

 speed to themselves, and which animal is always in condition 

 by its habits. If, therefore, a dog of acknowledged goodness 

 is beaten by a hare, especially at the beginning of the season 

 it is ten to one but the condition of the dog is at fault. It is 

 self evident that a perfect condition must be more than equally 

 important in coursing matches. 



The manner of getting dogs into condition is very simple, 

 and either consists in reducing the animal from too full and 

 soft a state, to one of firmness and less bulk; or it consists in 



