1^0 Modern Breaking 



gets all the exercise he needs, that should be 

 limited only by his powers of endurance and 

 the trainer's judgment. At least one month 

 is required to get an old dog, which has had a 

 six months' rest, more or less, into condition 

 to do good field work. During the close season 

 the dog has probably loafed around his owner's 

 home, office or shop, been irregular about his 

 meals, and has become an expert beggar of 

 dainties. He is pounds overweight, with a 

 thick, woolly coat, short of breath, flabby of 

 muscle, and the pads of his feet are soft and 

 spongy. His bowels are irregular, generally 

 with a tendency to constipation, and a short 

 run leaves him exhausted and footsore. 



He must be taken in hand and brought down 

 to a systematic routine of diet and exercise. 

 If necessary, chain him up so that his time is 

 accountable. If there is a tendency to consti- 

 pation, give him two ounces of castor oil, and 

 if necessary repeat it. The dog should be 

 placed on two meals a day of good, wholesome 

 food, such as has been described previously ; 

 the proportion of meat can be increased slightly. 

 Give him a short run in the morning before 

 feeding, and at some time during the day give 

 a mile or two of slow road work, following 

 a bicycle or buggy — and the distance you 

 travel with him should be graduall}- increased 

 until he is allowed to exercise while you are 



