DOG SHOWS. 



395 



water, ventilation, a suitable temperature, avoidance of 

 draughts, exercise at least twice daily, and the opportunity 

 to attend to the calls of :N^ature thrice daily, disinfection, 

 etc. All dogs should be carefully examined by a medical 

 canine expert before admission, especially in regard to skin 

 disease and distemper. Doubtful cases should be detained 

 in a separate building for more prolonged examination 

 and observation, and the doubt should be given against 

 the individual dog, rather than imperil the whole canine 

 gathering when suspicion can not be removed. 



But the duties of the medical expert do not end with 

 the preliminary inspection, which, as a matter of fact, is 

 often far from thorough. If it is found that many dogs 

 have unhealthy stools (diarrhoea, etc.), the food should be 

 specially examined. Food should never be left before the 

 animals more than an hour at most. Sour food is like 

 poison to dogs. Often the water does not agree ; if so, it 

 should be boiled and cooled quickly, and, if there be a 

 sediment, only the clear liquid should be used. 



In truth, however, there are many things that only an 

 experienced canine medical expert can, strictly speaking, 

 well provide against ; and it would pay shows to obtain the 

 services of such people, when they can be secured, for al- 

 most the entire time while the exhibition lasts. 



During transportation of dogs it is better that they be 

 fed rather sparingly on such food as will not tend to relax 

 the bowels, so that they may not be compelled to soil their 

 boxes. All crates should have holes in the bottom, to 

 allow urine to run through. After a long journey, a dose 

 of castor oil, moderate feeding, and a good deal of exer- 

 cise are indicated. 

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