58 The Dog Book 



your work properly your dog will enter the ring with each hair individualised, 

 "like quills upon the fretful porcupine," while his unattended neighbour 

 with his dry coat hanging flat to his side will be at a decided disadvantage. 

 This dampening of the coat is more particularly necessary in the black-and- 

 tans, for as a rule their coats lack the substance and the stand-out quality of 

 the sables. 



We are now at the stage where the class may be called within a few 

 minutes. There are certain things that are better attended to in the exer- 

 cise-ring than in the judges' ring, so take your dog there for a few moments, 

 or at least walk him around for a little so that when he gets into the ring 

 you can command his undivided attention. If you have a real good dog, 

 one that will "stand a lot of picking to pieces," get into the ring as soon as 

 you can, for while the judge is awaiting the announcement, "All in, sir," he 

 will be looking about, and the more he sees of your good dog the better he 

 will like him. Also, if your dog is inclined to be timid, let him get accus- 

 tomed to his surroundings, and with such a dog do not omit to take something 

 in your pocket that he will take interest enough in to enable him to forget 

 that he is a little afraid. Never pull such a dog about or scold him, but 

 humour him as much as possible. A judge can always tell when a handler 

 is doing his best for such a dog, and will give the exhibit time to come to 

 himself. 



Remember above everything that the dog is on exhibition and not you, 

 and it is your place to show him to the best advantage. The judge may 

 perhaps find that he is wide in front, but that is no excuse for your letting 

 him see nothing but those straddling forelegs. Try him with the nice out- 

 line and the good back your dog shows. On the other hand, if your exhibit 

 is a bulldog and his strong suit is a naturally wide front with straight legs, 

 have the judge admire that all the time if you can, for it is his business to 

 detect any defect behind and not yours to show it conspicuously. If you 

 are having your photograph taken and have a scar on one side of your face, 

 you naturally turn your other cheek to the camera, not for the purpose of 

 deceit, but to present a good appearance, or your best side. So it is in dog- 

 showing: present the best side to the judge and minimise as much as possible 

 the drawback of the scar or blemish. 



Do not keep your dog at attention all the time, for just when the judge 

 happens to turn your way, as likely as not your dog will want a change, or 

 is taking interest in something else, and you must shape him up again. 



