Where the door-yards of houses are very small the following is often resorted to with merciful effect: A post long enough to extend at least six feet above ground is set up ten, twenty or thirty feet - as far as possible from the kennel - and to this post is made fast a telegraph wire. After stringing on the same a strong, well-made ring at least two inches in diameter, the free end of the wire is attached to a building, fence or another post like the first in the rear of the kennel if a small one, while to the ring sliding freely on the wire the chain of the dog is fastened with a snaffle hook. Then although held in check he has still quite a range.

The amount of exercise required by dogs varies in the different breeds also in different members of the same breed, therefore it would be quite as impossible to fix a rule applicable to all as it would be to fashion a mask that would fit the faces of all mankind. The largest dogs as a whole are singularly sluggish and inactive if left to themselves, consequently they are more trouble to their owners, who must take them out at least once a day and give them slow, steady exercise for an hour or more. The smaller varieties, on the other hand, are in the habit of leaping and scampering about as soon as they are released, and therefore make considerable exercise for themselves in a comparatively short time.

But a wide distinction must be made between the sporting and non-sporting in the matter of exercise. Both varieties must have it, yet a denial falls far more heavily on the former than on the latter, for as a whole they have a very much greater fund of energy and spirits, and when restrained become nervous and restless, and in consequence more or less physically deranged. And to them a spin of from five to ten miles at least ought to be given every day in order to keep them good and hard; while they would be all the better were the distance twice as great.

The fact must not be lost sight of that to obtain the greatest good from exercise it must be made attractive and enjoyable. Considering which it is advisable to take all dogs of whatever varieties for long strolls as often as possible; and where spins are out of the question, if these outings are indulged in two or three times a week and on the intervening days the dogs are let loose and encouraged to exercise themselves vigorously for half an hour or so mornings and nights they will generally manage to keep their systems in fairly good tone. It sometimes becomes necessary, however, to put dogs in training, as for shows, coursing, etc., or to give them an unusual amount of exercise for the purpose of restoring health; in which case the reader will find much to assist him in the part devoted to "Exhibiting Dogs."

It is an excellent plan to teach a young dog to run after a ball and retrieve it, for ever afterward on occasions when he must be denied his usual stroll his master can by this means limber him up very quickly and at the same time afford him a great deal of enjoyment. Some breeders resort to a piece of dried beef or fresh skin to encourage exercise in the yards, hanging it just beyond the reach of the dogs, and at this many of them will jump at frequent intervals. Some, also, favor exercise by stretching hurdles across the yards, over which the inmates must jump as they make their way about - a device which recommends itself especially with dogs that lack development in their hind quarters.

There is also the "wheel" and the so-called "treadmill," which latter is built on the same principles as the power part of threshing and wood-sawing machines worked by horses. Fighting dogs are trained largely on the former and they are also taught to seize and hold on to an empty bag, piece of carpet or the like, which is strung high enough to prevent their legs touching the ground. This gives strength to the jaws, and in fact to all the fore parts and muscles, and so renders the dogs capable of maintaining their hold for a long time once they have fixed their jaws. And they who have bull terriers, for instance, would do well to give them a part of their exercise in this way.

While dogs are out for exercise their owners or caretakers should not be unmindful of the fact that to push it past the point of fatigue will cause even greater injury than a denial, and it will be well for them in regulating the amount to be largely influenced by the effects upon themselves under like conditions. The brain-worker of sedentary habits knows well that were he without any preparatory work to run a half, or even a quarter, of a mile at the top of his speed he would be literally "broken up," and for several days suffer in consequence of the indiscretion, even if he escaped serious and lasting injury.

And yet such a man is not at all unlikely to unchain his old dog, but rarely released from his kennel, and make him follow his team until he drops from exhaustion. And often men who now and then hunt for a day will lay up their dogs for months even, with only occasional rambles in the streets and always at heel, and without any preparatory exercise send them into the field and make them "run their legs off." Assuredly that such inflictions as these are simply barbarous and ruinous to health must be self-evident to every person having a fair amount of intelligence.

Never allow a dog to take violent exercise within two hours after eating a hearty meal. Prepare him for hard work as the athlete is trained - by easy stages - remembering always that the development of strength and endurance requires time as well as exercise, also that one too hard run while the system is unprepared is sure to derange it seriously and may produce convulsions and grave organic disease.

"The merciful man will be merciful to his beast." Let owners bear in mind that were they to take a brisk walk and while heated up stop and lie down uncovered in a cold room they could scarcely escape the penalties of the indiscretion, no matter how hardy they might be. Duly appreciating this very evident fact they will not be likely to turn their dogs into the kennels after a hard run without rubbing them down and drying them as they would their horses after a like experience. Nor will they fail to have an eye to their feet, realizing as they must that a splinter or bit of glass may have been taken up or a cut received, in which event serious trouble might result were the accident not discovered early.

A word here as to dogs much used in the stud. They should not work in the field nor be allowed in other ways to exert themselves violently, but should be kept at home most of the time, in large yards, and when taken out be given long, slow, steady exercise. Their special duty is a tax upon their energies, and if required to perform it often, high health and vigor cannot be maintained unless every precaution is observed.

The first step is to prevent muscular strain - as that occurring in hard runs - which means a wasteful expenditure of vitality. Such exercise, by the way, is considered by many breeders not only harmless but absolutely essential to good development of the muscles. But this is an absurdity, pure and simple, for it is upon the duration and number of movements, not upon their intensity, that the development of a muscle depends. For instance the man who exercises for ten minutes with dumb-bells weighing: two pounds each and puts them up thirty times a minute will develop the muscles worked far more quickly than he who uses ten-pound dumb-bells for the same period and puts them up only eight or ten times a minute. Moreover, were both beginners the former would likely gain and the latter lose strength, and the loss would be attributable to the muscular strains.

Obviously, therefore, hard and fast work is not only not necessary to muscular development and strength but beyond certain lines it is prejudicial to it. Hence, slow, easy exercise alone is proper and safe for the dog that is much used in the stud; and under it he will not only husband his strength and vitality but add to the fund, which must always be large to insure robust and vigorous offspring. And were this rule never violated and stud dogs wisely and generously fed, the rate of mortality among puppies would be much lower than it is now, and crooked forelegs, cow-hocks, and other deformities, far less familiar sights.