82 KENNEL SECRETS. 



matter where the owners live or how poor they are, for he 

 who is unable to provide suitable quarters for his dog else- 

 where can share his own roof with him, and this no person 

 of sense will be ashamed to do. But the problem of hous- 

 ing can scarcely be as easily disposed of in all instances, 

 for there are quite a number of varieties of dogs which for 

 their own welfare should be quartered beyond the living 

 rooms of their masters; but still, the solution can be 

 reached even where every trifling expense must be felt. 



The most primitive kennel is a large and stoutly con- 

 structed barrel of the kind used in these days for alcohol, 

 kerosene oil and many other fluids. This placed on its 

 side and blocked up a foot or more from the ground by 

 stones, bricks or wood, and with a wide board inside for a 

 floor, would afford fairly good summer quarters for a small 

 dog, which if unchained during the mild season would not 

 likely seek shelter except in stormy weather. 



But while such a device might answer its purpose there 

 are not many owners, even among the poorest, who would 

 be content with it, nor has it any advantages beyond those 

 of a packing case or "dry-goods box " of goodly size if the 

 top and sides of the same are covered by tarred paper. 

 And the latter is certainly more sightly, while its cost is 

 less than that of a barrel. 



These boxes are used altogether for summer quarters by 

 some breeders of varieties of medium sizes who place 

 them about in the yards, providing one for each dog ; and 

 theirs is certainly a commendable custom, for dogs so 

 treated are nearer nature, therefore healthier than they 

 would be in stables, barns or large kennels. Moreover, 

 as such boxes are inexpensive they can be burned and 

 replaced occasionally during the season, and the necessity 

 of whitewashing or using disinfectants and insecticides 

 thereby obviated. 



