How To Feed, Rear, Strip, Trim, Train, Show Your Dog

By William Whyte

This fantastic handbook on rearing dogs contains chapters on every aspect of the subject from selecting and breeding to training for exhibition. Although old, it contains a wealth of timeless information that will be of as much use to modern dog owners as it was when first published. Highly recommended for all owners of dogs and not to be missed by collectors of vintage literature of this ilk. Contents include: "Starting in Dogs by T. M. Corbett", "Kennelling", "Feeding", "Diet Table, Dogs and Puppies", "Selecting a Stud Dog", "Whelping and Rearing". "Important Factors to Success", "How to Show a Dog By J. W. H. Beynon, Judge", "How to Train a Dog By Barbara Woodhead", "How to Train a Dog (with illustrations)", etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in a modern, high-quality edition complete with the original text and artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Country Books
• Release date: Oct 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781473343436

Book preview

AILMENTS

STARTING IN DOGS

By T. M. CORBETT

THE Dog Fancy offers illimitable pleasure and possible profit. There are few hobbies or Fancies so fraught with possibilities. Like all other Fancies, however, there are pitfalls. And the new-comer is the one who encounters the most. He will continue to do so unless some guidance is given.

The successful breeders and exhibitors of to-day are the novices of yesterday. Most of them have achieved their greatness as a direct result of the lessons severely taught. Happily the majority have broadcast their knowledge of the pitfalls and how they have learned to circumvent them. Consequently the new-comer to Dogdom to-day—armed with the fundamentals of breeding, forewarned of the difficulties and prepared for the possible rebuffs, can start in particularly happy circumstances.

In the first place there is the problem of starting a Kennel. If means are unlimited it is an easy matter. If, on the other hand, the amount of capital is limited—set about the task of establishing a Kennel in this way:—

Buy two or three brood bitches of the best breeding. Don’t bother about stud dogs at the commencement. The services of the very best stud dogs in the country are to be had at a reasonable figure. And unless a stud dog has proved his worth at Shows, or has sired some amazingly good stock, his services are not likely to be greatly in demand. The surest and simplest way to make a good start is by securing good brood bitches. Get the best you can at a price you can afford to pay. It would be wiser to obtain two brood bitches at £20 each, if you had £40 to spend, than four at £10 apiece, provided that you go to reputed breeders for your stock—breeders who know what good stock is; who will willingly tell you the history of the bitches, and charge you a reasonable figure based upon the qualities predominant in them.

When choosing brood bitches, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Reputable breeders will always help you by giving all the information desired. One thing you must make certain about—that the bitches are proved breeders. If possible, see some of the stock they have bred. Find out everything you can about the breeding of the bitches. To be on the safe side take someone with you who is knowledgeable on these points. Get to know what are the faults present in the bitch for sale, and if possible, the predominant faults which may have been handed down. A great many of the major faults in dogs are hereditary. And if you have not yet learned sufficient about the rudiments of breeding, you have perforce to rely upon others for advice. Whether you obtain the services of a successful breeder, or rely upon the honesty of the seller, this is a matter upon which you must obtain the fullest information. And don’t buy one with obvious major faults which have been present in previous generations, such as bad hindquarters, light eyes (unless light eyes are desired in the breed), poor coats, etc. Give a little more money and obtain one without them.

See that the bitches are healthy, and have not suffered from any serious maladies. Make certain that they are not liable to skin affections. Discover if they have had distemper. And if you are wise, obtain a certificate at the time of purchase, detailing these facts.

KENNELLING

IT is one thing to secure a good dog and a good bitch. But it is useless to secure either unless you are prepared to see that the best is provided in the way of a kennel. True, many people keep a dog in the home as a pet. This, of course, is excellent in its way and every dog should have a certain amount of human companionship. But it will be desired that most dogs which are to have a successful show career will do better if they are provided with a kennel—a home of their own. And that kennel should be a home. So many people believe that if they have a hut with a box in it that is a kennel and a good one. Far from it. A dog’s home, if you are to get the best out of the dog, should be built with every regard for hygiene in the same way as for humans. Dogs require air space, ventilation of the right sort, and total elimination of draughts. One of the worst things for a dog is draught. All sorts of ailments calculated to develop into major illnesses are caused through draughts. Then, too. there is the question of sanitation and so many more technical matters which seldom enter the mind of the beginner in dogs. That is why, to the beginner, the soundest advice that can be given is to be prepared to spend a few pounds upon a really well constructed kennel. Actually the cost is remarkably low for so scientifically perfect construction.

Apply to one of the well-known builders of kennels. You will find not only a ready sympathy, but a sound practical scheme for setting you upon the right path. You will readily see that firms such as these, famous all over the country for their specialist buildings, have a great