2O THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



little given him from his master's hand will most likely be swallowed eagerly. Cows' udder, 

 well boiled, if given to delicate dogs, is almost always eagerly devoured, and certainly helps 

 to put flesh on their bones. With regard to the feeding of light-fleshed dogs, the late Mr. 

 Samuel Handley of Manchester once gave us a hint which has often proved valuable. His 

 advice was to get some bullocks' " throttles " or gullets, and having chopped them up small, 

 to boil with pearl-barley, and add a few currants. This is a very fattening food, and much 

 liked. 



When soft food is given it is very desirable that some boiled vegetable should be mixed 

 with it, as this purifies the blood and keeps the bowels in good condition. Cabbage, brocoli, 

 turnip-tops, and, when they can be got, young nettles are the best and easiest cooked, and one 

 or other should be supplied at least twice a week. When, however, these cannot be procured, it 

 is necessary to resort to other means, and try what mild physic will do instead. Get equal 

 weights each of milk of sulphur and magnesia (this will give rather more magnesia than 

 sulphur), and either mix it up with the soft food, or rub up with a little milk, and give it to 

 the dogs. We prefer the latter plan, as many dogs do not like it in their dinner, and eat less 

 in consequence. The dose is a tea-spoonful for a fifty-pound dog, and if mixed with milk it 



FIG. 9. FEEDING TRul GH. 



should be of the consistency of cream. It is a good plan to give a dose of the above all 

 round once a week in summer, and twice a month in winter ; and even if the vegetables 

 are not given this is often enough, unless individual dogs may be disarranged in their 

 bowels and require a mild aperient. This is also the best remedy we know for eruptions on 

 the skin when they are caused by bad blood, and should then be given every day for a 

 week, and after that alternate days until the dogs get better. 



Some authorities recommend that dogs should be fed from off the ground, but we consider 

 this a thoroughly bad plan. The best feeding vessels for single dogs are round tin baking- 

 tins, which can be bought at any ironmonger's. By using these each dog can be given his 

 portion, and the tin afterwards removed and washed out ready for the next day. These 

 vessels are, however, inappropriate for the use of a number of puppies, or, in fact, any dogs 

 when a number are fed together, and the best trough then is such a one as is illustrated 

 in Fig. 9. It is too heavy to overturn, and the dogs cannot so easily steal each other's share, 

 owing to the divisions. 



A constant supply of fresh water is most important. The value of attention to this 

 point can hardly be over-estimated, for though a dog will drink almost anything, he is 

 sure to be upset by bad water sooner or later. Every owner should satisfy himself that 

 his water-troughs are thoroughly emptied and rinsed out each morning, for they are apt 

 to get slimy round the edges and bottom if let stand too long, the consequence being that 

 the water is polluted before it gets to the dogs. The best sort of drinking vessel is a simple 

 earthenware open spittoon, as shown in Fig. 10 ; these can be easily washed out, and from 

 their shape are very dijjicult to overturn. In the case of large breeds, for which these vessels 



