EXERCISE OF DOGS. . 79 



when they are agam wanted, to find them fat, out of wind, and 

 easily fatigued ; for not only is the habit of exertion lost, but the 

 muscles of the body have actually become lessened and weakened 

 by the inactivity. Exercise improves the wind, by taking up the 

 surrounding fat from the heart and chest ; thus allowing the lungs 

 to expand more freely. Fits are a very common consequence of 

 confinement without regular exercise ; and it is very usual for a 

 dog, particularly a sporting one, which has been closely and long 

 shut up, on gaining his liberty, to experience a violent fit : the same 

 also occurs to dogs after long voyages. 



Exercise should, therefore, be allowed to every dog ; and as this 

 should be done in proportion to his other habits, to lay down any 

 general rule on this head is nearly impossible : for such as are very 

 fat, it should not be violent, but it should be long continued ; when 

 too violent, it is apt to produce epilepsy or asthma. Sporting dogs 

 require gallops, to fit them for their work, and to give them wind ; 

 and for this purpose they should be taught to follow a horse. 

 Lesser dogs, and all that are at other times confined, require at 

 least two hours' exercise every day. Whenever circumstances ab- 

 solutely preclude exercise, the only preventive to the evils threat- 

 ened by the deprivation, is a lessening of their food, and that it be 

 principally composed of vegetables ; alterative medicines, as laxa- 

 tives and emetics, should also be administered. 



CONDITION. 



The terai condition, as applied to dogs, is correspondent with 

 the same term as used among horses ; and is intended to charac- 

 terise a healthy external appearance, united with a capability, from 

 full wind and perfect vigour, to go through all the exercises re- 

 quired of them. It is, therefore, evident, that condition is of ma- 

 terial consequence to sportsmen ; indeed, it is of infinitely more 

 importance than is generally imagined. What would be thought 

 of that sporting character who should enter his horse for racing 

 without any previous training ? And how much chance would he 



