Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-06-20
Prom III Turf Regster.
sss,s Dogs Tor the Gum should he treated.

u very lmpcuccuy httcnued 10, anu, consequently, thas nS
dogs will be in much worse condition than they otherwise
might have been in.
Where there are n quantity Of dogs, there is also, in all
probability, less care taken about their selection, or crossing
with the best breeds; there is always less attention paid TO
the rearing and trimming Of the puppies; and there must be
less work for the dogs, consequently they have less expe-
rionco in the beld.
Depend upon IL, therefore. Il is n very mistaken notion
10 suppose that you are more likely to ensure having good
dogs by keeping n quantity; and it n prize was given for
the hes, pointer or setter in Great Britain, l am much mis-
taken IL ID would be gained by any of the large kennels;
but l think IL would more probably be awarded to some
gentleman OF moderate means, who kept but u lew dogs,
priding himself on their being right good ones, himself SUI
penntending their management, as he thoroughly apprecia-
ted their value.
ducuon Of ''the allowance for keep, will not he relished
by the keeper, who generally calculates ON making n nice
little perqusite of it IN an honest ,ray. When the family
arc from home, IL is customary for keepers TO collect all the
cnrcasses they can, of animals that have died-horses, cows,
sheep, or lambs, in spring, &c, and appropriate "the al.
lowance," or the greater part OF II. to their own use. II
they do not give the dogs putrid. or too salt meat (Which |
have known dcne), the fare is not bad for them, and indeed
improves their 'sop.'
shooter / should say, need never exceed two couple; and, eX-
cept At the very commencement OF the season, he will not
find use in so many; but he will then find the advantage OF
fresh couple Of dogs towards the end Of the day, when his
others are getting tagged.
You should always shoot over the same dogs, and on no
account allow any one else to take them out. In this way,
you and yourdogs winvery soon thoroughly understand one
another.
The simplest, and | think the best, construction offs ken
IWl Is Nnu Iht VI cru bd1 DaiA itl
four TO FIVE feet high, and the front from ten TO twelve, 50
that there is no nsk of crushing your hat every time you en-
ter it, IL may be divided into as many kennels as required,
each with its separate court, and all opening into one an
other for convenience. l would recommend 4 brick pare
meni, rather than the common bnck, for it FITS better. looks
better, is easier washed, and dries sooner from being so thin.
They are generally got about a foot square, | think; bu, l
dare say they may be got any size, and an inch or tive thick.
Ithe kennel is necessarily in a damp situation, which should
be avoided ifpossible. the court will be kept drer by build
ing the wall in which the railing is fixed with bricks placed
end TO end, and thus leaving holes like pigeon-holes for the
Hir 20 circulate. The court should always be kept nicely
grsvelled. The water trough should never be without
piece Of rock sulphur in II. Once a week the dogs should
g-tfresh straw. In going into the kennel at any time. do
NOT stand with the door partially open, as il you were JUS;
tempting the dogs to come out, but always throwi it pideOpen,
and, if the dogs make the attempt, tramp on their toes; and
if any one Of them should pass you, don't fusteT yourself
nboui catching il, but coolly take 1t by the ear, when YOU
can conveniently get hold of it, and throw IL into the kennel
with n crack OF the whip ut its tail. BY this means the
dogs will very soon not dare to venture gu, without permis
sion, and you will not be plagued, every time YOU 20 into
the kennel, TO keep them in.
Ii salt was always put into the "sop," il would be found
that the dogs would both thrive better on il, and be less in.
Tested with worms. Care should also be taken 10 keep out
Off every thing unwholesome, such as raw vegetables, the
entrails OF fowls, &c; and particular attention should be paid
10 washing the potatoes, otherwise they may be seen after
passing through the animals system quite indigested. The
quantity of meal q dog should be allowed ought not TO be
measured by his voraeny, but his condition. The best re-
cipcf for haviA &c any ANIMAL in good condition is plenty OF work.
Atfeed, the dogs should always be drafted as they daf, hounds
by this means they both answer TO their namesm more readily,
and, by not being allowed TO feed I'LL called, they learn a
lesson OF obedience and selCconuOl every day.
In summer, when the kennel is infested with feas, the
dogs are better without straw; but If the bog-myrle grows
within reach, a bedding Oft will put these Troublesome ver-
min to the rout. You may also get rid of them by smoking
the kennel occasionally. Dogs, at ths season, should be
washed with soap and water every week, which will efec-
nlahy kill every flea on their bodies. They should, also, in
warm weather, be bafhed regularly every day, getting n long
swim, if near where there is plenty OF water. They are
naturally of n very hot temperament, as their skins are not
porous, like most other animals, but they emit all this pres
r..--lon at tile mouth. A swim, therefore, is the very life
oi them, only care should be taken not TO puta dog into the
Eonaei ul quite dry; for the consequences Of not attending TO
this are frequently mango, or some other Of those cutaneous
diseases TO which all dogs are so liable.
Too much care cannot be taken 10 prevent ticks get
ting a settementin the kennel. II they once get fuirly e-
%tablished. / know Of no way Of getting rid Of them, and ]
have tried oil sorts Of plans-Pourng boiling water over the
kennel washing 1t with unslacked lime, &c. &c, which,
no doubt, kills those it comes over, but they get SO insinna-
Ted into every chink and crevice OF the wood or stone, that |
believe the only cure Is at once 20 pull down the kennel, and
10 he careful 10 use none Of The old materials for the nelo
one.t Strict injuncions should be given TO have every tick
pieSed off the dogs as they appear, and they should be care
fully examined when hunting in wood, and especially heG-
heT, otherwise the kennel may be very soon infected with
them. When they are too numerous or small on a dog to be
picked of, n rubbing OF sweet oil will xiii them.
Have always few, significant, and sounding calls for your
dogs, such as 'back." "downT" "heed!" and do not confuse
them by using other words for the same thing.
Don't accustom your dogs TO require much speaking to-
a dog may be taught 10 obey n whisper, (ull my reviewers
do) but, II n man keeps following or whistling to them as if
he was soaring crows off eorn.ield, they will never think
1t NECESSARY to obey ul they see him beginning to wax
wrnthful.
Gthere is occasion to whips dog-and the lessof ta whip
the bsiter-always lay hold oft. There is nothing worse
than aiming a random slash; and il is from this cause, OF
from allowing the dog TO run away before matters have
been made up with him after chasusement, that many a
good one contracts the abominable fault Of keeping his dis
lance when he behaves i'll, one Of those natural defects"
which the keeper, no doubt, will tell you he has been at inf
mite pains 10 freak him Of.
Dogs should be rubbed down with a wisp Of straw after
hunting, as horses are, and they would last as long again,
and be in better condition, than when left with all the mud
and dirt to harden on their bodies. Five minutes Of a boys
time would sufhce for this.
IL keeper is not well aware that he is looked after in
such parhculars, YOU may just as soon expect n cOyey Of
%partr1dges, or a pack Of grouse. to obey the dog-call, as that
lac will pay the slightest attention TO your iniunctions. And
II such simT lie means as these will prevent a dog from being
subject tn innumernblo ailments, which, though not very
perceptble TO a casual observer, will still be found 20 he
%preiudicial both 10 its travel and scent, and more especially
its lastingness, besides having ii in working condition Of On
age when dogs have generally become unfit for work, no
one who places any value on his dogs would neglect 10 pay
this attention TO them. There is no dog like a cunning old
one for getting game, and every person who has shot much
must have regretted that they generally "go' just when they
are brought TO perfection. Every year, therefore. which vo1
can add to their lives, is well worth the care and attention
which may have been bestowed in securing IT,
As a thorough amateur of the trigger, ] speak feelingly in
behalf OF my canine friends. Some Of the plcasantest Of
any sporting rambies have been with my gun; and not the
least agreeable Of my companions have beeD-wby sh,uId
be nsshamed 10 owniI-my dogs. No one can have a Just
conception Ofthe fne & varied scenery Of Scotland. who has
not diverged far from the public road. The Scottish tourist
need not deviato from the common route TO crafty his taste
for scenery; but the choicest landscapes of lovely Cnl.d,ri,
seem o. u they were set apart from the general show. To- be
Inspected only bythoso whohave taste and enterprise enough
iovist 'nem. When resting myself and my spaniels. dor.
ing the heat Of the day, on the brow Of a hill overhangine
enc OF those romantic glens peculiar to that part ofScoIand
where during the grouse season, ] had been accustomed 10
shooi-the base irnged, at intervals, with natural alder or
hnch-a stream m%eandcrng down the glen, the grkon spots
oi cuiuvnuon on either side Of IL contrasting with the deep
huc ~ me purple, o, moro advanced in the season. the
bfoyFn heam on 'hc hills side, is broad gravel banks giving
sutloicni indication that the "wimpbn' burn" though now
dcckedin ~ summer dress, can, like many a ballroom Miss.
nssumc, upon occasions, o very different aspcct-ie sbep.
herds hot in q secluded curve Of the glen, and miles distant
from any other human %habituGon, on one side. the rick of
meadow hay, the winters Keep for a COW, on the other. the
few peat stacks 20 cheer the lonely heauh-tho outlet of the
glen gradually widening to the entrance, ul IL opens on a
line c3panse okVaeT. with q bsck ground Of bold and rug.
ged mountaineF my very dogs seemed pleased, because their
master wss. A taste for sport does not necessarily impiy
n disfasfc for books but / could tell the pedaut that. IN
scsnea like these. "fom Naiuro'o page" he might learn ~
wholesome lessons o. sny that books can teach him.
"Ono impulse from a vernal wood