250 



THE BOOK OF THE 



latter to travel with his charges, not only to quiet them if excited, but also to protect 

 them from injury by accident, or by the design of evil - doers. It is often unhappily true 

 that attempts, and successful attempts too, have been made to hocus dogs, so as to prevent 

 them winning their ties, and therefore due vigilance must be exercised by those who have 

 them in charge, and the use of a muzzle is strongly recommended. In journeying, the dogs 

 should be well and warmly clothed, and care must be taken to keep them out of draughts 

 and wet, for when in a high state of training the Greyhound is more than ever susceptible 

 of chills. Many a dog has "gone wrong" on arriving at the scene of action by the 

 change in the water from what he has been accustomed to at home, and therefore it is 

 not unusual to boil the water given him, so as to render any change of quality less liable 

 to occur. Precautions should also be taken by which every chance is given the dog of 

 being made comfortable as soon as he arrives at his new quarters, as if he is rendered 

 restless by the unfamiliar surroundings, he will naturally be fagged when called upon for 

 action in the morning. To obviate such chances, it is usual with the owners of valuable 

 dogs entered for important stakes to send their Greyhounds and attendants into the im- 

 mediate neighbourhood of the meeting some days before the event comes off, so that the 

 dog may be thoroughly accustomed to his new quarters before he has to do his best. 

 We firmly believe that another advantage is also gained by such a course, and that is 

 benefit to the dog's health, and consequently an increase of vigour, from the change of 

 air, which in lower animals, as in man, has often been known to work wonders on a jaded 

 system. This being our opinion, we strongly advocate an early move, when this is possible, 

 to the neighbourhood of the meeting. 



Dogs that are to run should not be fed in the morning of the same day, or if they 

 are, only a few ounces of some nutritious but easily-digested food should be allowed. During 

 the interval between the courses it is often necessary to give a dog a restorative in order 

 to recruit his strength, and in the majority of cases a little weak brandy-and-water will 

 do all that is wanted, though different professional trainers each have their own especial 

 nostrum for such emergencies. As, however, we are addressing those who are but amateurs 

 in the coursing world, we again repeat that a small dose of brandy-and-water well diluted, 

 is in our opinion a more judicious pick-me-up under such circumstances than a more 

 elaborate or mysterious one. 



The advantage to be gained from keeping the dogs warm after they have run a tie cannot 

 be too strongly impressed upon all beginners, especially as in the excitement of the event all 

 remembrance of the clothing may fade away. It is also as well to take the dogs under cover 

 if such is possible ; but under all circumstances a Greyhound should be well rubbed down 

 before being again given into the hands of the slipper, as by this means the chances of stiff- 

 ness are sensibly diminished. In addition to the warm clothing, and the waterproof clothing 

 to be used in case of rain, it is desirable to take a spare chain and collar or two to the 

 meeting ; accidents often occur, and in the face of the stringent rules referred to above 

 concerning dogs which have broken loose, it is always well to be on the safe side. When 

 the dog is in the slips his attendant should be handy to take him up at the conclusion 

 of the course, and have his clothing ready to put on at once. On the conclusion of the 

 day the dog must be thoroughly rubbed down, fed, and made comfortable for the night, 

 so as to be ready for the exertions of the next day. It is also customary on their return 

 home at the termination of a meeting, for the Greyhounds to be mildly physicked and 

 given a little rest, unless they should be wanted immediately for other engagements. Such a 



