253 



THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



liable to disqualification as well ; and the soundness of this latter rule is beyond all question i 

 as by its enforcement a direct check is placed upon all fraudulent transactions, since detection 

 would depreciate the value of the dog. 



It is usual to give the dogs a few mouthfuls of some strengthening food between the 

 heats, and having this in view a slight increase in weight is allowed after the first heat is con- 

 cluded, if the handicap is conducted on the weight and not the height principle. Finally, to pre- 

 vent fraudulent ages being given to dogs, many committees, or perhaps it would be better to 

 say promoters, of dog-racing meetings decline to receive the age of any dog unless the latter 

 was registered before attaining the age of eight months, about which period he gets his second 

 set of teeth. 



Enough has now been written about this branch of sport to give our readers an idea of 

 what it is, but nobody who has not been present at a meeting can by any means imagine 

 what excitement the different ties create amongst the spectators, the majority of which invest 

 heavily on the success of their selections. A visit to such a meeting will amply repay the 

 curious should they be in the neighbourhood of a place where the sport is fostered ; but 

 if they do attend it may be suggested that they keep their eyes open and their pockets 

 shut, as a novice has but a slender chance of making money at dog-racing before experience 

 has been gained. 



The points by which a Whippet can be judged may be described as identical with those 

 of a Greyhound. 



