File:The new book of the dog; a comprehensive natural history of British dogs and their foreign relatives, with chapters on law, breeding, kennel management, and veterinary treatment (1907) (20550470498).jpg

Title: The new book of the dog; a comprehensive natural history of British dogs and their foreign relatives, with chapters on law, breeding, kennel management, and veterinary treatment
Identifier: cu31924001170848 (find matches)
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Leighton, Robert, 1859-
Subjects: Dogs
Publisher: London, Paris, New York, Toronto & Melbourne, Cassell and Company, Limited
Contributing Library: Cornell University Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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ARCTIC AND OTHER DRAUGHT DOGS. 533 work are exceptional. The owners of the dogs know too well their value to spoil them by harsh treatment, and as for over- work, one needs but to cast a judge's critical eye upon the animals to be convinced that they are marvels of strength, that they are usually in the prime of condition, and that unencumbered by the weight of the vehicle ; the whipple-tree is mounted on a pivot, enabling the dog to turn without being violently struck by the shafts, and the light harness must be so distributed as to prevent all rasping, or the over-exercise of any particular set of muscles. The carts
Text Appearing After Image:
THEY OFTEN DRAG CONSIDERABLE LOADS.' so far from resenting their duties they positively enjoy their work. It is said, indeed, that there is only one day in the week on which a Belgian draught dog is unhappy, and that is Sunday, when he -emains at home inactive. Furthermore, the Belgian club for the amelioration of draught dogs encourage kind treatment by offering generous prizes for the best-kept and most capable dogs, and breeding for quality and bone is studied with extreme particularity. The construction of the carts, too, and the manner of harnessing the dogs so that the burden may be equalised, and the strain lessened, is scrupulously attended to by municipal bye-laws. The shafts are so placed that the dog may lie down at ease. are always on springs, and a brake is im- perative. The most approved position for the dog or dogs is under the cart, with the traces attached to the a.xle ; this method relieves the animals of the weight which they must bear when between the shafts of a two-wheeled vehicle. The foreigner has difficulty in identifying the breeds most generally used for traction in Belgium, and only realises that the dogs are of immense build and strength with wonderful legs, broad thick withers, and straight backs. Long coated dogs are not often employed. The favourite breed is a descendant ol' the old Flemish Matin often crossed with a dog of Great Dane type. .A.part from the Matm, any tall and

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