CHAPTER IV. 



EXHIBITING, BUYING, AND SELLING. 



ANY owner who has confidence enough in the merits of his dogs to desire to show them must bear 

 in mind that excellence in symmetry and formation will probably be thrown away if condition is 

 bad. For exhibition purposes condition is everything. A first-class specimen, however grand he 

 may be in many points, if his eye is dull and listless and his coat ragged, cannot fail to suffer from 

 comparison with a dog who, though perhaps inferior in some points, is lively and vivacious, 

 thereby showing himself off to the best advantage when he is in the ring before the judges. The 

 latter should even if they do not always judge a dog as he is before them, not reckoning what 

 his performances have been or what merit he may develop with age. In getting up a dog for 

 exhibition, therefore, an owner should try and make him look his best, never losing sight of the 

 purposes for which the breed exists, and trying to bring his pet into the ring not only looking 

 well, but fit to do his duty. A sporting dog looks ludicrous when he appears fat and flabby, and 

 displays to every one how utterly incapable he would be of doing half a day's work. A bulldog or 

 bull-terrier loaded with flesh instead of muscle is a sorry sight ; and a black and tan or a toy terrier 

 with a ragged staring coat cannot hope to be " in it " when competing for the prize of beauty with 

 others of the same breed whose jackets shine like satin. 



Experience can only be bought by practice, but here is a notable fact for the benefit of 

 beginners : viz., that the most consistently successful exhibitors of late years have been those whose 

 dogs have been shown in the best condition. We were once profoundly impressed by a hint 

 given us by a deceased friend whose opinion in certain breeds was law. " Thoo'l have to learn, 

 lad, hoo ta' show tha' dags," was all he said ; we marked, learned, and profited by his suggestion, 

 and never knowingly sent a dog off to a show who .had not something in the way of condition 

 to recommend him. To attain this desired end is difficult, merely from the fast that different 

 dogs require different treatment ; by following certain rules, however, great progress can be made, 

 and if due attention is paid to feeding, exercising, and grooming, the most delicate dogs can be 

 vastly improved in both health and appearance. 



To begin with, it is always bad for an owner to place too much reliance on his kennel-man. An 

 experienced person is no doubt an acquisition in any establishment, but the master will surely rue 

 the day when he lets absolute control over his dogs slip from his grasp. A servant is very apt to 

 consider himself of greater importance than he really is, unless his master keeps him up to his 

 work, and supervises the daily routine of work as far as he can. Many masters profess to be above 

 the task of looking after their own interests, and leave their kennels entirely under the control of 

 their men. Such individuals cannot care much for the honour of winning a prize, as whatever 

 kudos there is gained must rest with their deputy, and it is notorious that they generally suffer in 

 the long-run by their blind confidence. We always had a slate hanging up in the kennel, and wrote 

 any orders there were to be given on it ; the consequence was that there was no excuse for them 

 not being attended to, and the dogs flourished accordingly. 



In getting a dog up for show, his comfort should be particularly looked after in every way. 



