TRANSIT OF DOGS. 



33 



used for ventilation are clearly shown. These should be in each side, the front, and lid, the 

 back and floor only being boarded. The latter should have holes bored in it for obvious 

 reasons. Care should be taken to ensure the ventilation gratings being Sufficiently large for their 

 object, and they should each have a bent iron fender outside, so as to prevent any other packages 

 being placed close alongside them in the van, by which the circulation of air would be impeded. 

 A couple of strips of two or three inch batten should be nailed on the bottom to keep the box 

 off the ground, as if left on a damp floor it would soon decay otherwise. It is not desirable to 

 send more than one dog in each box, unless they are known to be peaceably inclined, for they are 

 liable to fight and seriously hurt each other, though many boxes are so made that they can be 

 divided into two or more compartments by sliding partitions. Some clean straw should of course 

 be placed at the bottom of the basket or box ; and if a long journey is contemplated, a little 

 soaked biscuit or bread may be thrown in, but no water, as it would only get spilled and be of no 

 use. If there is a long stoppage on the road and any one is accompanying the dogs, the boxes can 

 be opened and a drink given them ; but this is a merciful action which is too often neglected in 

 the master's anxiety to see after his own comforts. 



The direction should always be clearly affixed to the box, and it is highly desirable that not 

 only the time of the train's departure, but also the date, be inscribed on the label thus : 



LIVE DOG. Forward at once. 



To JOHN JONES, Esq., 

 Blanle House, 



Slanktown, 

 Per G.W.R. Near OXFORD. 



3rd JUNE, 1879. By 9.30 Train, a.m. 



The insertion of the date seems to convey even to the minds of railway officials that a little 

 energy is necessary, and diminishes the chances of the dog being left behind. Never use one of 

 the dirty draughty dens called dog boxes by railway authorities. They are a disgrace to 

 railway organisation, and if a dog travels in one he is most likely to catch an illness in the shape 

 of a cold, influenza, or mange. 



If an owner accompanies his dog to a show he should provide himself with a few trifling articles 

 to assist in the final toilet : a chamois leather, scissors, hair-brush, and hair-glove are all useful, and 

 a spare chain and staple or two are often handy. Some chalk for white dogs, powdered resin for 

 tails, and a little oil for the coats very frequently form part of this portion of the luggage, but 

 considerable risk is involved in their application by inexperienced hands ; disqualification succeeds 

 detection, and it is not a part of our business to assist exhibitors in their efforts to deceive the 

 judges, who suffer enough from the art of the " faker" as it is. 



Great discontent prevails amongst exhibitors with reference to the exorbitant charge made by 



