GENEUAL MANAGEMENT. 9 



Exercise. 



Exercise develops the muscles of the body, increases their functional 

 activity, hastens the digestion of food, and renders its assimilation easier. 

 It improves nutrition by elevating the temperature, opens the pores of the 

 skin, stimulating its functions, and through the lungs, by the stronger 

 movements excited, it favors the exhalation of impurities and excesses. 



Too much importance cannot be attached to this subject. Keeping a dog 

 confined with insufficient exercise is cruelty itself, which no excuse caji 

 justify. Never chain a dog should be the rule, but unfortunately it cannot 

 always be observed. Certain methods may, however, be resorted to, and 

 a confined animal have greater freedom and still'be restrained. 



A post can be set up as far from the kennel as the limits of the owner's 

 premises will allow, a wire fastened to it and passed through a ring, the 

 other end attached to the kennel and drawn taut. The dog can then be 

 chained to the ring, which will slide freely the entire length of the wire, 

 permitting greater latitude and the animal still be held in check. This 

 means may be employed in cities, and where it is impossible to allow them 

 to run at large. 



When dogs are kept in yards, the plan adopted by the writer can be re- 

 sorted to. Fences or hurdles can be bnUt entirely across the Inclosures. 

 These must be placed low at first, simply high enough to force the animal 

 to make aneasyjump, then in three or four weeks raised a few inches, 

 another Interval allowed to pass, and raised again . The results from the 

 employment of this means are admirable, especially in the case of dogs 

 inclined to be weak in the loins, and needing development behind. 



In conditioning dogs, especially for exhibitions, no better exercise can 

 be recommended than slow walking; the distance being from two to four 

 miles daily. By this means they will eat more, digest it better, and accu- 

 mulate fiesh more rapidly. 



While exercise is Imperative, extremes must be avoided and caution 

 used. If a dog is habituated to following a team, there is less danger oi 

 overexertion; if not so accustomed, care must be observed lest the sys- 

 tem be disordered by too great effort. In winter, if a hard run is taken 

 and he returns in a heated condition , he must not be shut into a cold ken- 

 peljbut be allowed to cool gradimlly in a warm room. Violent exercise 

 must never be allowed after a hearty meal. 



It is a wise plan to accustom dogs to climatic changes, yet they must 

 be protected during the hotter days of summer, from the sun's intense 

 heat, or the exposure will cause debility and often convulsions. 



