CARE OF THE TOY DOG.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1522, 26 June 1919, Page 31

CARE OF THE TOY DOG.

So many people are afraid to purchase or undertake the care of a valuable toy dog. They invariably say: “I shouldn’t know in the slightest how to look after him.” Now, all lovers of dogs delight in seeing them clean, healthy, sweet and wholesome. Therefore, the following may be of some slight help to those who hesitate and to those who already have little dogs in their keeping. Feeding.—The most important factor in a dog’s life and the root of good or evil lies in his food. Do, I implore, feed your dog correctly. So much at a certain hour each and every day. Not all one day and nothing the next or one meal which lasts all day long and consists of scraps mostly undesirable for a dog’s stomach. The foregoing applies chiefly to the family pet, where he reigns the sole dog in the house. Just how much to feed each dog

depends upon the dog itself. This the owner must find out. My own experience is that a toy dog requires two meals a day, morning and evening, say, a saucer loosely filled and absolutely nothing in between these two meals. How can a dog enjoy his meals if scrap feeding at all times? There is so much which is inexpensive and palatable to the dog when nicely cooked. It is necessary to prepare his food as temptingly and in such variety as you would for your own table. Many complain that their dogs will not eat bread. To this I say “Why should they?” Your dog does not require bread. Buy a

lamb’s fry, a sheep’s head, a beast’s heart, a beast’s cheek, gravy beef, rabbit, etc., to any of these add rice or barley. In the cooking the rice or barley will absorb the meat juices, the dog is very fond of this, which is much more nourishing than bread. Raw tripe makes a good change in doggie’s menu, also rice pudding occasionally. Fish is very good, eggs in any form and a meal of raw beef once a week. This acts as a medicine. Although not dealing with puppies but with grown dogs I would state that even with tiny puppies a teaspoonful of minced raw beef is recommended once or twice a week. To a normal dog do not feed sloppy food or milk or soup. Meat does not cause worms, distemper, etc., it is a dog’s natural food. Rather will poor feeding bring on all sorts of trouble. Remember, your dog cannot grow coat off poor food. Never feed meat which is not fresh enough for you to eat. To your cooked meat with rice or barley add a little green vegetable, this makes an ideal meal. Never feed white vegetables of any kind. Naturally it follows that to get the best out of your dog he requires, after his good and proper food, sufficient exercise to keep him splendidly fit and healthy.