416 



THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG. 



fortnight, care must be taken to avoid 

 tangling the hairs. Do not rub the locks 

 round and round, but keep them extended, 

 working the fingers through them gently. 

 Having rinsed away all traces of soap by 

 pouring clean tepid water along the line 

 of the back, lift the dog out of the bath and 

 press the coat with the flat of the hands, 

 squeezing it free from wet. The towel 

 should be carefully wrapped about him to 

 absorb further moisture by pressure. The 

 rest of the drying process should be done 

 in front of a fire or in the warm sun, a clean 

 long-bristled brush being used the while. 

 If the coat is allowed to dry without this 

 brushing it is likely to become wavy and 

 crimpy. 



Many owners of the Clydesdale keep the 

 coat constantly soaked in grease, which is 

 applied by the aid of a brush. Some con- 

 sider that " elbow grease " is preferable as 

 a means of maintaining the required glossy 

 and silken consistency. Probably a union 

 of both is best ; for any amount of grease 

 will not keep the hair in condition without 

 frequent grooming. Oil is to be preferred 

 to any sticky and clammy pomade. Neats- 

 foot oil and paraffin mixed is recommended 

 both as a hair stimulant and an insecticide, 

 but some fanciers prefer a mixture of olive 

 oil and cocoanut oil in equal proportions. 

 Mr. Sam Jessop, who has had great ex- 

 perience with the Yorkshire Terrier, recom- 

 mends the following preparation, and what 

 applies to the Yorkshire is equally suitable 

 for the Clydesdale : 



Take of hydrous wool fat, 2 ounces ; 

 benzoated lard, 2 ounces almond oil, 



2 ounces ; phenol, 30 grains ; alcohol 

 (90 per cent.), ounce. The first three 

 ingredients are melted together upon a 

 water-bath ; the phenol, dissolved in the 

 alcohol, being added when nearly cold ; 

 the whole being thoroughly mixed to- 

 gether. 



When preparing the dog for exhibition, 

 all traces of greasy matter must of course 

 be removed. Benzine will be found effectual 

 here, carefully sponged over the coat before 

 washing, and cloudy ammonia added to the 

 washing water will do the rest, for it will 

 complete the removal of the grease and 

 promote a lather when the soap is sparingly 

 applied. This washing should take place 

 as near the day of exhibition as possible, 

 and be followed by a more than usually 

 complete and careful grooming in order to 

 get the coat into perfect bloom. 



The Clydesdale is difficult to breed, and 

 one has to wait a long time before knowing 

 if a puppy is likely to become a good speci- 

 men. He is eighteen months or two years 

 old before his qualities are pronounced. 

 An important point in breeding is to give 

 particular attention to the ears of the sire 

 and dam. The ears must be very tight. 

 Good ear carriage is of first consideration, 

 and a bad ear is almost always transmitted 

 to the offspring. Although primarily an 

 ornamental dog, the Clydesdale yet retains 

 much of the sporting terrier characteristics. 

 His sight and hearing are remarkably acute, 

 he is very game, is not averse from a fight, 

 and is grand at vermin. Beauty, however, 

 is his supreme charm, causing him to be 

 admired wherever he is seen. 



