The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-19
CONDITION PLAYS Big
PART IN SHOW RING.
Dog in Bad Shape Too Often Is
Beaten by a Much Inferior
Specimen.
CHANGE SHOULD BE MADE

A rather interesting problem presents
Itself 20 the study of many in the dog
fancy in regard TO dogs shown in con-
often is confronted with the problem OF
having two dogs In the ring, one n good
m that he knows to be good. but Is on
this day in bad condition, and another
dog against this one which is not as good
q dog naturally. but in better condition
n consequently looking well.
High condition undoubtedly contrib
utes a good many more points than are
at first apparent. In some varieties OF
stool in the scale of points drawn up to
cover different breeds condition is rated
az high as 20 or 25 points. and as most
animals TO be fit 10 win a first prize are
generally required to score so points nj
least. therefore. II the full penalty OF
20 TO rs points is imposed they are out
of II at onoe.
So should not a judge he allowed to
sum up these points for want Of condl-
ton in his mind and then ask n fancier
with a dog in bad condition to leave the
ring without having his dog judged? This
may seem rather arbitrary at first. but
II looked at carefully II does not seem
suoh a bad idea The Judge Is put in
an awkward dilemma. not too pleasant
for him, and whichever way he settles
the difference II Is not satisfactory to
him personally, n on the other hand
the exhibitor may spoil n high class
reputation hat his dog has made by
having the dogs colors lowered by an
inferior dog in high condition. This is n
serious and interesting question to be
decided and one hat can be discussed
will benefit TO all.
II seems that IL 1t was made a rule. or
X that is too hard II IL should he tacitly
understood. that a Judge was well within
his rights in throwing out a dog alto
gether for want OF condition 1t might
simplify many difficult decisions that
judges are called upon 10 make and
would redound to the benefit OF both ex-
hibitor and Judge. and particularly to
the credit Of many dogs. Besides these
features II does not seem to be to the
interest OF breeders in general that fairly
good dogs should add 10 their reputation
by beating dogs that are their superiors
when in condition. IL does not seem
right that IN exhibitor should be able to
say in an advertisement of a second rate
dog II beat So and So" when he may
ave done IL by catching the dog entirely
out of condition. An old Judge once re-
marked THE proper place for a dog
out of condition Is at home and not in
the show ring" And there is no doubt
hat he hit the nail squarely on the head.
But there are some exhibitors who are
tempted to try conclusions when a show
comes of that is very near them. and the
entry may help the fixture. There have
been cases where Judges have asked ex-
hibitors to leave the ring with dogs that
were sadly out OF condition. and IL it was
made more plain and more definitely un-
derstood that this would always be don
in cases of dogs badly out OF condition
a great deal OF trouble and heartburn
ing would be avoided.
a thing that puzzles many Is the way
to keep a dog In good show condition
without the use OF drugs. First and
foremost he should have regular and
systematic exercise, and he must be
carefully groomed daily. particularly II
he belong TO one OF the long or broken
coated varieties. Nothing is more likely
TO produce bad condition in dogs thar
idleness. overlooking or neglect OF
grooming. Under normal conditions a
dogs appetite is generally good. but IL
he be overfed he will soon become lazy.
Vice versa, II Il dog be allowed to be-
come lazy he will also get in a way OF
not relishing his food. Ample exercise
makes a dog enjoy his meals and keeps
his whole frame and system up TO the
best possible pitch of excellence; insult
fcient exercise max him a dull dog
altogether.
The first essential TO health and con-
dition. therefore. IL that "A dog should
be well exercised and we'll groomed.
Some dogs are fed upon anything but
sensible lines. One OF the best possible
kinds of food for dogs. and a food of
which they should have some daily or
at least two or three times a week, is
coarse brown bread.
With regard to tonic and other medl-
cines for dogs for conditioning purposes.
although as has been intimated in the
preceding paragraph a dog can be kept
in condition without anything of this
kind, yet 1t will often be desirable, par
ticularly when a dog is going to be
shown. TO give something in the nature
Of q tonic. OF course everything must
depend upon circumstances. and when.
for example. a dog Is suffering from
slight eczema or skin trouble OF any
kind any tonic medicine that IL given
should be OF a sort that will tend to
purify the blood as we'll MS bring up the
system generally TO a higher pitch.
As a general tonic for dogs about to
o. exhibited or for dogs which are a
little off feed or off color. as the express
sion goes, there is nothing better than
a little cod liver oil. This will be found
useful indeed and may be recommended
for the winter months, when dogs are
more liable TO contract chills and agues
than during the summer season. Citrate
~ iron and ammonium is another useful
thing for dogs. both as a tonic and as
a blood medicine, and II can be given
en- aolutioO