36 THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



is here less likely to be resorted to, and elementary tricks of the trade, which might be successfully 

 practised on beginners, are pretty sure to be avoided where so many experts have an opportunity 

 for examining the dog. It is well to make certain that a dog is in health, and at a show a veterinary 

 surgeon can have very good opportunities for examining him quietly on the buyer's behalf. One 

 thing to be guarded against by purchasers is, to see they do not get old played-out dogs or barren 

 bitches palmed off on them. A dog's age and state of health can usually be seen, but in the case of 

 a bitch purchased for breeding purposes the difficulty is very much greater. A person who contem- 

 plates buying a dog need not convey any suspicions of the seller's honesty to the latter in an 

 offensive manner, but he is failing to do himself justice if, when he does not know the seller, he 

 does not satisfy himself that the dog has not been manipulated so as to improve his appearance. 



A system of dealing for it is no better by what may be termed " gushing letter writing " 

 is sometimes resorted to when new exhibitors appear on the scene. The novice receives a 

 letter couched in the most friendly terms from an individual he may perhaps have never heard 

 of, who informs him that as he appears to be going in for showing dogs, the writer is prepared 

 to offer him the well-known prize-winner so-and-so. Frequently the party addressed, feeling 

 flattered by the attention, falls a victim, and becomes the possessor of some second-rate specimen 

 whose late owner has a better at home. Exhibitors should therefore beware of dogs thus forced 

 on them, and should remember that there is no necessity for so acting in the case of really good 

 dogs, for which there is always a market. 



The exportation of dogs from this country is now carried on to a large extent, America 

 and Germany being our best customers. The rapidly increasing interest in all field sports in these 

 countries has caused them to invest heavily in sporting dogs of our best and most famous strains ; 

 but as yet they have paid but slender attention to our non-sporting classes. A good opening for 

 the disposal of first-class dogs may therefore be looked for from these quarters ; and as we have 

 had some experience in sending off dogs on long sea journeys, perhaps a few hints may not be out 

 of place here. In the first place, it may be noted that as some lines of steamers refuse to 

 carry dogs on any terms, all arrangements should be made by the owner with the company's 

 agents some time before the proposed date of the dog's departure, so as to avoid all risk of 

 disappointment at the last minute. The best form of package for a dog who is about to go on 

 a voyage is a strong box, well clamped with iron at the corners, and standing on two pieces of 

 quartering. The door should be at the front, so as to enable the box to be cleaned out easily, and 

 should be of iron gratings to let in light and ait. A canvas blind can be tacked above the door 

 when the dog gets on board, and this can be let down in cold or wet weather. A few holes should 

 be bored with a centre -bit in the floor, and also high up at the back, for ventilation and sanitary 

 purposes. Great care must be taken to have secure fastenings on the box, and the dog should 

 always have a chain and collar on when he is at sea. An arrangement can be made with the ship's 

 butcher to look after him, and the promise of a douceur from his new owner on the dog's safe 

 arrival will generally ensure his being well attended to on the voyage. It is desirable that whoever 

 is entrusted with the dog be requested to give him a run on deck when practicable, and dose him 

 if his bowels get confined. Some ordinary black draught can be supplied for this purpose, and 

 will meet every ordinary want. 





