l88 KENNEL SECRETS. 



habits they must suffer intensely, and more than one dog 

 has reached home with severe inflammation of the bladder 

 in consequence of being neglected in this respect. 



The exhibitor who is a gentleman will conduct himself 

 as such before the judges, and this is about all that need 

 be said of ring etiquette. But a few hints as to the man- 

 agement of the candidate may not be amiss. 



While being prepared for a show he should be thoroughly 

 accustomed to the chain and encouraged to romp while 

 under it, so that its associations will be pleasant and as 

 soon as it is in the hand of his master or caretaker he will 

 be full of excitement and delightful anticipation. This 

 course pursued and he taught to keep still at command, 

 he will be sure to be alert in the ring and stand before 

 the judge with head up, eyes bright and shining with 

 eagerness, tail properly carried, and feet and legs straight 

 and well under him. In fact he will appear with all his 

 lines well drawn, and be sure to win over his equal which 

 shows up sulky, spiritless and crouching. 



As for position in the ring, it is of no importance before 

 a judge that is competent, for he will never overlook a 

 good dog. 



It is well to advert here to the idea so prevalent among 

 the inexperienced — and not without believers among 

 exhibitors — that judges are often swayed by the owners 

 of dogs ; or, in other words, that the dog of a well-known 

 exhibitor has greater chances of winning than his equal, 

 or even superior, whose owner is a comparative stranger. 



It is a deplorable fact that there is a foundation for this 

 belief, for in many instances judges who lacked confidence 

 in their ability to select rightly have gone to the wrong 

 end of the chain as the best way out of difficulty. But 

 this is not done with dishonest intent. On the contrary, 

 the judge may feel that he can come nearer justice bygiv- 



