22 THE BOOK of THE DOG. 



if they are to be kept in real health and spirits. Dogs and bitches kept for breeding purposes 

 cannot have too much open air under judicious management, and the health and future excellence 

 of young stock is greatly affected by the liberty they obtain. The means by which the necessary 

 amount of exercise is given the dogs must necessarily depend on the situation of the kennels and 

 the space and time at their owners' disposal. If the establishment is in the country the task 

 of exercising the dogs is a very easy one, the adjacent meadows offering every facility. But 

 in towns the case is different, and means have to be devised by which comparative liberty can 

 be obtained without risk to the dogs and annoyance to the neighbours. Under all circum- 

 stances a covered-in run is a very desirable addition to a range of kennels, for then the dogs 

 can be exercised in all weathers, and an admirable run for young puppies formed. Unfor- 

 tunately few breeders can afford the space that such an erection would occupy ; but we allude 

 to it, lest the merits of an empty barn might be overlooked when exercising comes to be 

 considered. In the case of dogs whose temperaments are peaceful, no difficulty will be found 

 in taking them out for an hour or two's run in the morning, when few people and conveyances 

 are about ; and this, with a daily turn of greater or less extent in the kennel yard, will suffice 

 for most animals. The sporting varieties will, of course, require more exercise and special 

 treatment, which will be gone into in the chapter on breaking. 



It is not good to let dogs be exposed too long to a hot summer's sun ; for lying about in 

 it is sure to disarrange their health, and render them dull and languid. Where they are let 

 run in yards a plentiful supply of water should always be within reach, and this should be 

 kept in a shady corner out of the sun's rays, which heat it and render it unfit for the dogs to 

 drink. Sometimes an awning may be of great benefit. 



In many establishments one or two good dogs are kept in-doors, which are forbidden to 

 roam about in the garden on account of the injury they would cause there. It may be required 

 to exercise them thoroughly, and if so the owner has to resort to artificial means, using a 

 ball, or a cat-skin tied at the end of a fishing-rod or long cane, and dangled before them. In 

 the first case, if the dog will fetch and carry, a great amount of exercise can be gone through 

 at the cost of a comparatively trifling exertion on the part of the owner, who has only to keep 

 on throwing away the ball for the dog to run after. Half an hour or so a day of such violent 

 exercise will keep most dogs in good health, but it is particularly desirable that all their 

 leisure time should not be passed in-doors before a fire, as nothing tends to demoralise a dog 

 more than -want of fresh air. No house is quite destitute of a yard of some sort, where a 

 kennel can be fixed up for the dog's reception during some part of the day. Fuller description 

 of the method of exercising by means of a skin and long cane will be given in the article 

 on Bull-terriers, as it is a form of excitement more peculiarly adaptable to vermin dogs, 

 partly from their disposition to worry a ball if given one to play with, and partly because 

 less spirited dogs soon get tired of jumping at a thing they cannot reach. 



GROOMING. 



A great deal in a dog's appearance depends upon whether his owner has him well groomed 

 or not. This most useful operation has probably never been resorted to by scores of exhibitors, 

 who on showing their dogs are surprised to find that they compare unfavourably with others 

 in the condition of their coats. Grooming, to be effective, must be constant and thorough. 

 A casual overhauling with a dirty brush once in two or three months does not at all represent 

 our views on the subject ; but it is very hard to convince some kennelmen of the benefit 

 proper grooming can bestow on the dogs' coats. Latterly attention has been directed to this 



