THE DOG—INTRODUCTION. 829 
The pointers have no such natural division, but, though of one general race, 
they are divided into different classes according to size in show classification. 
Certain families, too, have their own colors, or rather colors to which the 
representatives of those strains closely conform, and which therefore serve 
as family marks. From his thin coat and indifference to heat the pointer is 
specially suited for work on dry prairies, or in the extreme Southern States. 
His advocates proclaim him the equal of the setter in all ways and places, 
but this is not the general opinion, and he is consequently not as common 
as his long-haired rival. Field spaniels are used by a few sportsmen who 
like their style of work in cover, but taking the country through, these dogs 
might be included in the non-sporting classes without seriously affecting our 
sporting interests. 
The non-sporting classes are always well represented in shows, and are 
growing in favor daily. Within a few years most varieties of terriers and 
toy dogs have been introduced into the country, and good specimens of the 
mastiff and Newfoundland are becoming quite common. Sheep dogs are 
deservedly coming into favor, and will soon be largely bred for use on farms 
and cattle ranches. Tria!s similar to those abroad have recently been insti- 
tuted, and the colly will become an important factor of our canine population. 
DISEASES AND CARE OF DOGS. 
Domestication, by inducing an artificial life, has naturally had in some 
ways a bad effect upon all animals subjected to it. The dog in a state of 
nature has probably but few ills apart from those consequent upon old age; 
but when domesticated, and especially when finely bred, he suffers from 
many diseases similar to those of man, and requiring similar treatment. 
When dogs were worth but a few dollars there was nothing to induce scien- 
tific men to study their ills, but with their present values, and especially with 
the interest awakened in them by the love for the field, which is shared as 
well by medical men as by others, the attention of the faculty has been 
called to the treatment of canine diseases, and they are fast approaching the 
point when they will be as well understood as those of any other class of 
patients. 
Dogs need comfortable quarters, good food, combining meat, vegetables 
and breadstuffs in due proportion, and also plenty of exercise. The latter 
is more generally neglected than the former, and to such neglect is due most 
.of the ills from which dogs suffer. Properly attended to, dogs cost but little 
trouble, and repay this a thousand-fold. 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
