HOUSE DOGS. 311 



practice is adopted, it is sure to end in disease before many years 

 are passed. The rule should be strictly enforced, to avoid feeding 

 more than once or twice daily, at regular hours, and then the 

 quantity and quality should be proportioned to the size of the 

 dog and to the amount of exercise which he takes. About one- 

 twentieth to one-twelfth of the weight of the dog is the proper 

 amount of food, and all beyond this is improper in most cases, 

 though of course there are some exceptions. Dogs are very cleanly 

 animals, and often refuse to dirty a carpet or even a clean floor ; 

 they should therefore be turned out at proper times to relieve 

 themselves, the neglect of which is cruel, as well as injurious to 

 the health. I have known dogs retain their excretions for days 

 together, rather than expose themselves to the anger which they 

 think they should incur, and I believe some high-couraged animals 

 would almost die before they would make a mess. Long-haired 

 dogs, when confined to the house, are apt to smell disagreeably if 

 they have much flesh, and they should therefore be chiefly fed 

 upon oatmeal porridge, with very little flavouring of broth or meat 

 mixed up with it. 



