THfi MANAOEMENT OP DOGS IN HEALTH. 97 



In addition to the above, if tlie arrangements of tlie 

 kennel permit of some regard to tlie beautiful, it will not 

 be witliou': its effect on the inmates, though this is of 

 course a subordinate matter ; but of all creatures the dog 

 is most influenced for good or ill by his surroundings. 



Dampness is perhaps of all evils, after extreme crowd- 

 ing, the greatest in connection wdth a kennel. With a 

 damp kennel it is impossible to keep dogs in health, and 

 this condition w^ill sooner or later ruin the best collection 

 of dogs that can be got together, no matter what their 

 stamina. 



A good foundation, then, which will prevent the damp- 

 ness of the soil from effecting the kennel, is desirable in 

 any case, and absolutely essential if the soil is clayey or 

 adapted in any way to retain moisture. If the soil is light, 

 it will be well, if no foundation is used, to make a bottom 

 of loam and ashes, the latter being in large proportion. 



The slope of the ground is of some importance. 



Dampness may arise from hoar-frost on the walls in 

 very cold weather if no artificial heat be used ; and though 

 this is not so injurious as that which arises from a bad 

 floor, it is nevertheless a serious objection, especially when 

 the severity of the weather mitigates. Of course brick and 

 stone walls are more liable to favor such dampness than 

 wooden ones. 



The outlook of every kennel should be toward the 

 south, so that it shall at no season of the year be devoid of 

 the heat and light of the sun, and if direct so much the 

 better in the winter. Exaggerated stress can not be laid 

 on the value of sunlight, and it is scarcely too much to 

 say that animals can not be kept in health without it. 



