GENERAL MANAGEMENT. 5 



cept under circumstances which will be named when consid- 

 ering diseases. Many are the dogs I have had sent me 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 de- 

 sired result. 



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

 medicinally. Some dogs are particularly fond of the former. 

 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, rnilk is undoubtedly the most suitable diet, 

 and to this, as time goes on, may be gradually added a little 

 bread or boiled oatmeal porridge. Animal food (except an 

 ■ occasional bone) is not advisable in any breed of young dog, 

 until four or five months old, and it should then be gradually, 

 not suddenly, introduced 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 wlijch, from a puppy, has had full freedom, with one 

 cooped up until it has arrived at maturit3r; in the former Na- 

 ture has asserted her right, and, unchecked, given symmetry, 

 full development, and health ; in the latter, crooked legs, 'de- 

 formed body, and stunted growth, is the picture she presents 

 of an interference with her laws. Who will deny the fact that 



