THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



GROOMING. 



This is especially advisable in all dogs where fineness of 

 coat, kindness of skin, cleanliness, and health are desired. 

 Combing and brushing in long-haired dogs is absolutely ne- 

 cessary to prevent the hair matting, and to preserve its char- 

 acter. In large breeds, as the mastilT tribe, it is as requisite 

 for good appearance as in the horse. Once daily, twice if 

 possible, I have my mastiffs thoroughly groomed ; they enjoy 

 it, the sensation affords them pleasure, and the dog accus- 

 tomed to the practice will look for it as regularly as he does 

 his meals. The brush is a far better remedy for glossy coats 

 than nitre, sulphur, antimony, or arsenic. 



KENNEL ARRANGEMENT. 



In dealing with this subject I shall merely make a few 

 passing practical remarks on ordinary kennel-arrangement, 

 though they are not particularly applicable to one breed more 

 than another. 



The kennel should neither have an easterly unsheltered 

 aspect nor damp foundation. If dogs so placed escape ken- 

 nel-lameness and rheumatism, it is more from mere chance or 

 constitution, than from the sanitary condition of the locality. 

 Good air, dry atmosphere and sunlight are as essential to 

 health and spirits in the canine as the human subject. It is 

 all very well to argue as to what dogs are in a state of nature 

 and what they are in the domestic state. Nature and art in 

 kennel-management are not compatible. The South Sea 

 Islander thrives in the hot humid atmosphere to which he- 

 is indigenous, and becomes fat upon the flesh of his own spe- 

 cies ; but he must be artificialized, so to speak, and civilized 

 before he can accommodate himself to our colder latitudes 

 and description of foo"d. So with the dog ; domestication 



