Care of the Dog 



collar and the harness both are not needed at the 

 same time. They are not only a source of discom- 

 fort to the dog, but also very unbecoming, especially 

 when they are out of proportion to the size of the 

 animal and gayly bedecked with brass. 



Muzzle. — In New York and almost all large 

 cities there are laws requiring the use of muzzles 

 while the dog is on the street. Although this law 

 works a great hardship on the dog it is necessary 

 and wise for the protection of the public. The real 

 object of the law is to control the spread of rabies 

 which is disseminated by the bite of a rabid dog. 

 There are many dogs which, because they are natu- 

 rally vicious and in the habit of biting, should be 

 muzzled. Some dogs, although generally peaceful 

 and harmless, might be provoked to bite if annoyed 

 or frightened by strangers. It is to the owner's ad- 

 vantage to comply with the law because if his dog 

 should happen to snap at or bite anyone and the 

 matter was reported to the police, as it always is if 

 a physician treats the wound, the animal would be 

 kept in quarantine as a case of suspect;ed rabies, 

 thereby causing a great deal of trouble and annoy- 

 ance. 



Blanket. — In cold weather it is often advisable 

 to supply the toys and very short-haired dogs with 

 a blanket or sweater. The blanket is, of course, 

 only for street use and should not be worn in the 

 house. Once the dog has become accustomed to it 

 in the fall, it must be worn continually during the 



