148 KENNEL SECRETS. 



worm-medicine. And this having acted he should be 

 entered upon a course of training by exercise, which 

 should be systematic and conducted if possible under as 

 rigid dietetic and hygienic rules as those enforced with 

 athletes. 



Steady, slow work should be the rule at first in all 

 instances, and this should be persisted in with the largest 

 non-sporting breeds — the walks gradually extended each 

 day until fairly long distances are being covered — while 

 with most of the other varieties it must be intelligently 

 quickened as they gain in strength and endurance. 



In hot weather this exercise should invariably be in the 

 early morning — never under a roasting sun, for then it 

 must depress instead of invigorate, and besides invites 

 heatstroke, to which dogs are quite as liable as man. 



The amount of exercise required of course depends 

 upon the existing conditions — the state of health and 

 endurance, individual peculiarities, etc. But it is safe 

 to say that where the dog is being worked on the chain 

 and has been in training for two or three weeks, if 

 other than a toy he will be able to make as many miles 

 as his trainer will find it convenient to cover on foot. 

 Should, however, the fear intrude that too much exercise 

 is being given it will be necessary merely to resort to the 

 scales, and as long as there is a gain in weight the amount 

 of work certainly cannot be excessive. 



Always after an outing the dog's feet should be exam- 

 ined to see if he has taken up small stones or cut himself 

 with bits of glass. And if he gets wet or his legs and 

 under-parts have been splashed with mud he should be 

 carefully sponged and well dried before he is put into 

 his kennel. 



Dogs that are not accustomed to much exercise are 

 liable to stiffen during the first days, especially if it is 



