144 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



Quite a vauable article is the following:, taken from American Stock-keeper, 

 as to feeding of TOY Docs. In it are good ideas, especially applicable to dogs at 

 bench shows, but good to adopt even for dogs at home. 



"The proper way to feed toy dogs is an everlasting subject of debate where 

 two or three are gathered together in show corners. There is no proper way 

 per se. The question of suitable feed all depends, both upon the breed and th3 

 individual. Sloppy food, for toys as well as in the interests of bigger dogs, must 

 be avoided, and food that is solid and somewhat concentrated is indicated. In 

 the case of Pomeranians and other long coated dogs stronger food is more desir- 

 able than for smooths. That is, the drain of the coat on the dog's system must 

 be met. Likewise the nervous energy of these small dogs must be taken into 

 consideration. The Pomeranian, for instance, will wear himself to a shadow 

 much sooner than the easy going pug or toy spaniel. In the former's case a diet 

 varied, digestible and nutritious, much in a little, is the proper thing, and noth- 

 ing is better than underdone (rare), roast beef and chicken, which to vary the 

 diet may be alternated with fresh tripe and white fish, from which all bones 

 must be taken out. 



"Pet dogs, whose vigorous constitutions and active appetites call for a greater 

 bulk of food, should be fed on boiled rice or crumbled stale bread in conjunction 

 with the meat, the meat being fed last. It is not good to fill these little gluttons 

 out with milk or as much meat as they will eat. Plain rice is not heating and 

 does not fatten like meals. Should a toy dog take to the dog biscuit these may 

 also be given chopped dry. 



"A great many toy dogs suffer more or less from cankered teeth brought on 

 by fermentation in the stomach, in most cases due entirely to an indiscreet diet 

 of sloppy, sweet foods. Eschew all these and bring the 1 little chaps down to a dry, 

 hard diet if possible, or a diet which will make them chew and not lap or bolt 

 their foods. Nature provided the dog in its natural state with a stomach that 

 would digest nails, as the saying goes, but civilization has altered all this for the 

 pet dog, as well as for his owner, and modern excesses work their ills on both. So 

 the different conditions must be met." 



The following written by DENT, is especially intended to apply as to FEED- 

 ING OF HUNTING DOGS: 



"The dog is a carnivorous animal, and although domestication and associa- 

 tion with man have, in some respects, altered or affected his organs of digestion, 

 he thrives best upon a mixed diet or one containing both meat, grain and vege- 

 tables. The proportions of these depend altogether upon the individual's consti- 

 tution, peculiar existing state of health, and the work he is called upon to do. 

 These matters can only be determined by experiment and observation. Food 

 and water are to the muscular system what fuel and steam are to the locomotive. 

 Muscular exertion calls for a destruction of muscular elements; the destruction 

 of muscular elements generates heat in varying degrees and a large amount of 

 effete poisonous matter that the kidneys and bowels are called upon to remove. 



"If the dog is in good condition, the muscles firm, elastic and properly nur- 

 tured by a fit diet v muscular effort will, if severe, produce only the minimum 

 amount of heat and effete matter. If the animal is in poor condition, the muscles 

 soft and flabby, surrounded by fat, slight exercise will consume a large amount 

 of this tissue and produce a corresponding amount of heat and waste products. 

 And it is these poisonous waste products that the athlete, horse and dog have 



