204 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



groomed and well amused for dogs like amusement as much as their masters do. 

 Do not let him get into "slack" ways keep him "up to the mark." These 

 methods, and some occasional exercise in the manoeuvres of the show ring, will 

 have an excellent effect. Rehearse, rehearse! There is nothing like plenty of 

 rehearsal to make a show run smoothly. Now, what about being "proof against 

 distemper?" Is not that a large order to execute all at once? Who is going to 

 make a dog proof against the great Fiend that waylays the race of dogs. Several 

 things may be done. It can be ascertained probably whether he has had dis- 

 temper. There is no surety that he will not have it again, but it Os a safeguard- 

 experience showing that it is the exception for a dog to contract the disease a 

 second time 'though many dogs do. 



Then, bearing in mind that contagious diseases always need a receptive con- 

 dition on the part of their victim, we should always take care that a dog is never 

 sent to a show if he seems at all "below par" or run down. Give him beforehand 

 some cooling medicine and plen'ty of exercise. One of the greatest destroyers ot" 

 disease germs is oxygen aerate his blood therefore with plenty of ozone he will 

 be less likely to contract disease. Disinfectants are not of much value applied to 

 the coat; we should trust more to 'the general condition of health and to a thor- 

 ough disinfection on returning from the show. No dog with a cold or discharge 

 from the nostrils or running at the eyes ought to be sent 'to a show; at a good 

 show no doubt such a condition would be noticed at the veterinary examination 

 and the dog would at once be refused admission. Stringent rules are very neces- 

 sary at big shows, and it is not always possible to enforce stringent rules without 

 injuring some susceptibilities. 



The first three points surely do not need much explanation but they do need 

 emphasis. Dogs intended for show must be so fed and groomed that they are in 

 full condition of health, but not gross; and their skins are free from we will 

 not say mange, which is a product of filth, but from eczema, a blood irritation 

 affecting the skin; that they are constantly well-groomed to keep their coats in 

 proper order, there is not anything as good for a dog's coat as regular grooming; 

 that have no trace of worms. Worms must be sought after from a month 

 to six weeks before the show comes on; the more or less drastic treatment neces- 

 sary to disposses them will naturally reduce the animal to a condition not up to 

 show standard; and as one dose is never enough (really) to free a dog f(rom 

 worms it is well to begin in time. Let him have one or two or three good dos- 

 ings, well in advance of the show-time, and then all that should be needed after- 

 ward is an occasional mild aperient pill or capsule just to keep the pests from 

 getting a lodgement again. 



AGE or MATURITY. The larger breeds of dogs, like St. Bernards, Mastiffs, 

 Great Danes, or Newfoundlands, do not mature until two years of age; setters 

 and pointers at twelve to fifteen months j while fox terriers and dogs of this size, 

 and including smaller breeds, will, as a rule, mature at a year old. 



DETERMINING AGE OF DOGS. 'Many novices will appreciate a few lines upon the 

 subject of how to determine the age of a dog. Fortunately, there is not the amount 

 of roguery in the canine fancy as there is in "horsey" circles, but now and again 

 no doubt the amateur gets "bitten." To a certain extent the age can be determ- 

 ined by examining the teeth. A dog of mature age has forty-two teeth, and these 

 are complete in number at the age of about eight months. This clearly indicates 

 the age so far, but after that there is no method so certain^ and a good deal of 



