DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 93 



such filth is never to be allowed ; this kind of food being 

 very apt to generate diseases of the skin. Dogs will 

 thrive on liver, but it is too valuable an article of diet for 

 these creatures to be regularly given. When only occa- 

 sionally administered it has a well-marked laxative pro- 

 perty, and on this account will often be of service in 

 rendering needless the use of medicinal agents. In the 

 raw state, if the animal will take it, its action is more 

 powerful ; but after it has been boiled it generally is 

 sufficiently operative. The meat, whatever it may be, 

 should, for animals not in work, be boiled, raw flesh being 

 more stimulative than their comparatively idle pursuits 

 demand. Such animals, in fact, may be said to lead 

 sedentary lives, and their diet must be lowered to suit 

 their habits. For the pointer, &c., during the season, 

 raw flesh is actually to be preferred, nor should the 

 quantity be limited. The exertion is great, and the ut- 

 most indulgence in this respect will seldom do harm ; but 

 my own experience teaches me that the sporting dog is 

 often crippled by being under-fed. It cannot consume 

 too much, neither can that much be too nourishing, espe- 

 cially if the country to be shot over is of a hilly nature. 

 It is one of the prejudices of most men to believe that 

 a feed of oats to the horse, or a meal of flesh to the dog, 

 just before starting, gives strength for the labor which is 

 to be endured. We cannot, however, make strength as 

 beds are made, at any moment, but the invigoration of a 

 living body must be the result of a slow and a long pro- 

 cess. On the day of work it is of less consequence what 



