6 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



for advice, with no other complaint than want of appetite. 

 As a rule, they are enormously over-fed. A week's spare, 

 plain diet/ and a dose of castor-oil, has generally produced 

 the desired result. 



Beer, wine, and spirits should never be allowed, except 

 medicinally. Some dogs are particularly fond of the for- 

 mer. I recently had a mastiff-bitch (Duchess) who would 

 greedily lap it whenever she had the chance. 



Water. — There are few animals to which the denial of 

 water is felt to a greater degree than the dog. Whether in 

 health or disease, water is requisite in assisting the natural 

 functions of the body. 



With regard to the feeding of puppies, I have little to 

 say ; when weaning, milk is undoubtedly the most suitable 

 diet* and to this, as time goes on, may be gradually . added ^ 

 a little bread or boiled oatmeal-porridge, or Spratt's puppy 

 food. Animal food (except an occasional bone) is not ad- 

 visable in any breed of young dog, until four or five months, 

 old, and it should then be gradually, not suddenly, intro- 

 duced into the diet. 



EXERCISE. 



Exercise is equally beneficial to canine as it is to human 

 health. The mind is diverted not only in the performance 

 of the act, but also in the novelty of fresh scenes, new faces 

 and objects, bright weather and pure and bracing air. 



To the young dog it is indispensable. Compare the ani- 

 mal, which, from a puppy, has had full freedom, with one 

 cooped up until it has arrived at maturity ; in the former 

 Nature has asserted her right, and, unchecked, given sym- 

 metry, full development, and health; in the latter, crooked 

 legs, deformed body, and stunted growth is the picture she 

 presents of an interference with her laws. Who will deny 

 the fact that some poor creatures are kept on the chain 



