172 FEEDING OF DOGS. 



Carrots, parsnips, cabbag^es, and, indeed, all vegetable 

 matter, will feed dog-s sufficiently well for the purposes of 

 existence. Damaged ship biscuit is often bought for the pur- 

 pose of food, and it makes a very good one when soaked in 

 broth or milk. It is, however, prudent here to introduce one 

 very necessary caution, which is, — that the broth or liquor in 

 which salted meat has been boiled should never be used for 

 this purpose. Most dogs, who have been confined on ship 

 board during a long voyage, contract an obstinate species of 

 mange, wholly owing to their being fed on salt pot-liquor. 

 This is not sufficiently attended to among sportsmen, and 

 their servants are very apt to give the liquor in which salt 

 pork and bacon have been boiled, with other brine, to the 

 great injury of the animals. 



Greaves are also, with many persons, a favourite, because 

 they are a convenient food ; and, when mixed wnth a suffici- 

 ent quantity of vegetable matter, they form a hearty meal for 

 large dogs, or such as live without doors, and are subjected 

 to much exercise. I should, however, never make use of 

 them myself, when any of the before-mentioned articles could 

 be procured. 



Many opinions prevail on the subject of horse flesh as food, 

 its qualities being as strenuously supported by some, as they 

 are condemned by others. The proper mode of considering 

 the matter is to regard it as a strong and actively nutritious 

 food, very fit for dogs who undergo great exercise ; to such 

 it never proves hurtful : but, where it is given to those who 

 have little exercise, it proves too nutritious, and is apt to pro- 

 duce a foul stinking coat and itching skin. Much diversity of 

 opinion prevails also as to whether it is better to be given 

 raw or dressed. In a state of nature, it is evident that dogs 

 live on raw meat, and there is no doubt that this best fits 

 them for very active exercise, and enables them to perform 

 all their functions with the most vigour and durability. Raw 

 flesh of every kind appears particularly to increase the cou- 

 rage and ferocity; and where these qualities are requisite, 



