76 WASHING OF DOGS. 



covering for most pet dogs, except Italian greyhounds and the 

 naked Barbary dog, which may be further protected by a wooden 

 house, or by a coverlet. Dogs sleeping without doors should have 

 the use of a kennel well closed from rain and wind ; but, of course, 

 open in front, provided such front is not opposed to driving rain, 

 snow, &c. I would not even mention such minute matters, but 

 that I know some well-meaning persons err from want of thought 

 more than from want of humanity. The sportsman may assure 

 himself, that the comfort of a sheltered, and even soft and warm 

 bed of straw, are as necessary, not only to the comfort but to the 

 health also of his dog on his return from the fatigues of the chase, 

 as the feather-bed and its coverings are to himself. The same 

 stiffness, the same rheumatic pains and incapacity of ready motion, 

 await the dog as his master, if these protections are not enjoyed by 

 both. The kennels of our best hunting establishments are usually 

 excellently adapted to give sufficient warmth with sufficient venti- 

 lation ; but it is of much importance, where hounds sleep on 

 benches, that no direct draught of air be allowed to drive over 

 them. 



WASHING OF DOGS. 



There are few sources more productive of disease to dogs than 

 a wanting of general cleanliness in the air they breathe, and in the 

 state of all those matters they are in communication with, as their 

 beds, &c., and particularly in the state of their hides. Dogs con- 

 fined together in a close unventilated situation beget coughs, which 

 often end in permanent asthma : if young, they become tabid ; if 

 adults, mangy or dropsical. The acrid fumes from their own 

 bodies, when in close confinement, and more particularly from 

 their urine, stimulate the eyes, and produce diseased eyelids. It 

 is also assistant to health, that confined dogs should have their 

 hides rubbed every day with a hair cloth, or a wisp of straw : this 

 dislodges the furfuraceous matter of the skin, and prevents its ad- 

 hesion, which forms the first step to mange ; it also assists general 

 circulation, and stands in the stead of exercise. This practice of 



