New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-28
HOW TO BUY A DOG.
SPECIALLY HOW NOT TO BUY ONE.
HINTS TO INTENDING PURCHAsERs-BITs OF
EXPERIENCE IN Observation-Disclosures
OF THE VARIOUS BREEDS

that vou want one ard are willing to devote con-
siderable time or expense for its proper care, The
animals need constant oversight, II they are TO be
pleasure and credit TO their owners. Again. do not
buy dog unless you have proper place TO keep MN.
The Young elephant that walked upstairs In smaii
fat some weeks ago, and began preparing the morn
ings kndlng-wood out Of the furniture. was no' mum
more out Of place than Great Dane. mastin ana o'
Bernard would be In such confined quarters. ino
best place for dogs, especially large ones Is tne
country; but by proper care and quarters reeui'i
exercise and careful feeding, they can be kept healy
In town. Again, do not buy dog until you are sure
as to which breed you prefer. This IS a po'h' y"
which you can study the dogshows TO ahVahtase'
Unless you wish an animal for special purpose as
for hunting particular game. perhaps the best pan
Is to follow your own fancy when you have all Vle
breeds before vou and have intelligent ldea as 10
their traits II is Just natural for one man 10
lnCer around the aristocrac, benevolent Gu berarus
as IL is for another TO spend his time Win the ua'y
and cynical greyhounds; while for the man WIN
drop of Scotch blood in him and taste lot he'uS'
eocts and herds there are no dogs in the show for
him but the coles, the wise, playful. sensitive Du'
brave hearted shepherd dogs
while the dogshows are a splendid place for acduir-
ing ~doggys Information. learning the points OF Vpcai
specimens ETC., they are generally poor place 10
buy In. unless one has long purse At tn: annual
show the dog fever at its height, only the favortes
n, breeders are exhibited and the prices asked are
generally too high. 1t is true that good judge OF
dogs may pick up bargains especially on the closing
DAYS when some breeder may have become disgusted
with the business owing to lack Of ribbons on MS
entries and is ready to close out cheap or throw
of the express expenses of getting his charges home
As there are no special clubs devoted to the promi-
pent breeds is easy to get from their secretaries VINO
may be addressed through the Westminster Kennel
Club list of Trustworthy breeders, with which one
NAV correspond or whose kennels one may visit. The
latter plan has decided advantages. Buy dog with
vonr eve on him II possible II you not an expert
In the breed try TO enlist the good offices Of some one
who is and remember that specialist in bulldogs Will
not help you in buying a setter any more than the
average tnsmith could help you to bay diamond IL
Is also desirable to the benefit of experience or
veterinary knowledge in judging of dogs health and
age In general never buy dog that is hsteSs mas
DIM eve a dead harsh, shabby coat an unclean skrl'
or that is very thin or very fat Finally dog that
Won intend over sell again or to use for Dfecue
sbould have wellsubstantated pedigree, registered
Dr. eligible TO registry in one Of the kenne cup DOCKS
or the American Kennel Register. Indeed while
good fudge may safely buy unpedgreed dog on MS
points there is always increased satisfaction IN
knowing dogs ancestors and knowing that they were
trustworthy. safe animals.
Dogbuyers Should beware Of dealing Win ahony
nous fanciers' at distance. who send out begnhne
catalogues and lists Of testimonials. but conceal their
roo, names Their testimonials may relate to only
small part Of their sales. They do not exhibit their
fault-nnding letters and the favorable comments may
have been gained in their days of honest dealing winch
are. alas no more. 1t is advisable to consult mer.
camille agency local house OF standing OF ONO Vi
the kennel clubs to such dealers
One of these pretentouS dog concerns. as an IN
,ancc in mint wrote creduous purchaser that 1t had
inst such dog as he seeking. He wanted Dlach
animal with white markings. The pedigree was Son'
him and he finally sent part OF the purchase price,
the rest to be paid c. O. ID. The dog came anu was
almost wholly whto ard otherwise was diNereht from
.ho deecription OF course he returned II ana sent
also a surprised remOnstrance. 49," wro'e inc ian
ciers we wrote black when we really meant wm'e'
But we Will send you another and better uos' -
photograph of Gnelookne animal was sent TO MN
and he ordered it shipped. But, alas again. the
pbo,o had been taken In its youth. 1t was old and
NANCY had canker of the ear and otherwise faed 10
satisfy his bargain. Finally on promise OF a nne
voung animal 10 reward his patience, he returned the
second dog in about three years after his original
nurchose. was sent third animal, which lived few
,reo,,s after arrival being sick with some Internal
,,onhe when It came. Then the buyers credulity
fsdcd and he consulted mercantile agency and hrn
Of local lawyers. lie found that he was only one OF
numerous victims. ~
ono needs sharp eyes and good Judgment IN buying
frou, Sidewalk dealers who perambulate the streets
with puppies under their arms Some Of these men
are not without reputation ana honesty as
dog dealers. But others simply prey On I'M
experienced and cNdulOuS buyers Ther dogs
arc often only half threc-qusrters pure
them Will take any little yellow and white pup and, by
getting fat and in nice coat pass him OIL for 81
Bernard fat little pup always has moro or less OF
the sturdy, benevolent look OF the st. Bernard But
beware! As they grow they elongatc and alternate
and lose their beauty and you find you have an indf
ferent cross bred animal Two such instances come
10 mind in each case the pups having undoubtedly
some ST. Bernard blood, but one resembled most set
ter and the OTHER collie There are hundreds OF
these imitation Demands scattered over the coun-
try bought at high prices, when DrlnS ther oWnerS
little satisfaction credit.
Often one can make tie best bargains by getting dogs
from farmers or sportsmen in the country who do not
aspire to fancy prices or kennels with fancy names
This Is especially the with cOhes and the game
dogs-sctterS pointers, hounds, etc. Not only are
these farm bred animals likely to be more healthy and
full OF endurance but they generally excel in inte
gence and aptitude for field service Shrewd sports
men or fancers always prefer pup bred from parents
who are both trained and apt at field work. Such
setter pup will be stanch on birds, or such d
collie pup will excel in driving stock. 1t IS I'M
deniable that the good performance OF the parent
animals thus adds TO the value OF the puppies anu
should add to the price proportionately.
Do not condemn a dog because you never heard
of him or his parents in dog show. While many
Of the best animals are thus annually b ge eee 9e DOS
show their owners diskinS the trouble OF eAhiDIung
preferrng not to run the FISK OF their pets catching
valuable pups are spoiled nc Sysn he E Is a by
puppes need Only TO be kept growing steadily;
SKIM milk, dog biscuit table scraps, etc, are GOOD
food hut meat should be given spaflngy and never
raw A big bone with little cooked meat adherng
Is a boon TO a puppy or grown dog. II doge nave
70 hc kept chained, and all dogs who are cross or
Who ever leave the yard should Be chained it Is best
10 strin. inc chain long stout wire running
fro, the kennel to post reds distant and about
seven or eight feet high This gives the dogs long
ran promotes cleanliness and health and taxes the
WEIGHT of the chain of their necks.
Tho following the prices at which GOOD peel
greed nuns and grown dogs can be bought ms
neors oil blocdcd animals. but fancy str2Ls fash
fonabc or champion stock. Prices on the latter are
variable. -. a.o l. o,oo. ono,,,, toos s,oo
upward Mastlf puppies, So to 500 grown dogs
SIS upward trained coies, $50 to 800 selters
pups $40 to So9 so grow" Pointers pups $40 to $50
dogs. $2S to 500; trained dogs $50 upward Fox,