THE ENGLISH BLOODHOUND. 257 



even a lot were they that one could scarcely be told from 

 another. 



When I commenced feeding the puppies, which was 

 when they were between four and live weeks old, they were 

 fed on nearly the same food I had been giving the dam; 

 but they were fed four or five times a day, the keeper 

 always remaining with them until they were through eat- 

 ing, so as to encourage the weaker ones and restrain the 

 stronger ones from imposing on the others. Their dishes 

 were always removed and cleaned as soon as they were 

 through eating. The smaller and weaker puppies should 

 be given codliver-oil twice a day. 



It is a well-known fact that more puppies die from 

 worms than from any other cause. My remedy for this is 

 the juice of pumpkin-seeds given with their food, and as 

 a preventative, charcoal or buttermilk. 



Exercise is most important for puppies. They should always be either 

 sleeping or running about, except when eating. If the weather is wet or cold, 

 they should have a roomy place, under cover, to run about in, with large bones 

 to pick, or some other amusement. The bone-picking is necessary to keep the 

 teeth in good order. 



When two or three months old, I take my puppies out to exercise in a field, 

 and as soon as they have become pretty handy, on the road for a few times, 

 with a lad to whip in; and then they go out for an hour's exercise daily with 

 the other Hounds. When five or six months old, they should be under nearly 

 as good command as the old Hounds. If taught to lead at this age it is much 

 less troublesome than when it has been left till they are nearly full grown. 

 With some puppies this is easy to accomplish; others throw themselves about 

 and are obstinate, but soon resign themselves to their fate if handled quietly. 



If a puppy declines to budge, it is a mistake to pull him about forcibly. 

 Wait until he decides to move, and then let him go in the direction he prefers. 

 He will soon get accustomed to restraint, and in a few days will allow you to 

 choose the road. If he then pulls unpleasantly, he should be taught, by a few 

 taps on the nose with a switch, to walk soberly at your side without straining 

 at the chain. 



PREPARATION FOR THE SHOW BENCH. 



In a properly kept kennel the dogs will always be in 

 good show condition. But if they are covered with skin 

 diseases, if alive with vermin, or if they have been kept in 

 dirty quarters, they will need a great deal of preparation to 

 fit them for the show bench. Your kennel can not be a 



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