THE POODLE. 623 



most of our manufactured dogs, if I may be allowed that 

 expression, has a great tendency to breed back; and indeed, 

 in nine cases out of ten, it is but a waste of time and 

 money to get a Poodle dog and bitch of unknown gene- 

 alogy and expect to get good puppies. The faults are usu- 

 ally in the coat, which is either too flat or too woolly; or 

 in the head, which is either too coarse or too snipy. 



But supposing we have a thorough-bred dog and bitch, 

 our troubles are only just beginning. In the first place, 

 while the bitch is in whelp she should be allowed perfect 

 liberty, as nearly as possible, and this I regard as almost 

 essential. She should have a clean, dry bed of pine 

 shavings or straw, away from other dogs and such disturb- 

 ing causes, and should have a plentiful supply of good, 

 nourishing food; though, unless the weather is cold, but 

 a small amount of meat, and that raw, or at least very rare. 



Her coat may be brushed and corded as usual, but while 

 she is in whelp I would not advise shaving. A tolerably 

 long coat will be more comfortable for her and for the 

 puppies, especially if the weather be at all cold. As her 

 time approaches, be sure that she is satisfied with her quar- 

 ters, for if she is not, when the little strangers appear she 

 will try to carry them elsewhere, and if not allowed to do 

 so, will fret, lose her milk, neglect her puppies, and so cause 

 them to die. 



After the litter is born, the bitch will need but little 

 attention for about an hour, by which time she will have 

 cleaned her little family and will have time to think about 

 herself. Let her have a pan of water, not too cold, and 

 then, if she will take it, a little oatmeal gruel and milk; 

 place it far enough from her nest to make her leave her 

 puppies, but not so far as to make her feel anxious about 

 them. After an interval of about five hours, or even less, 

 give her some more gruel, with perhaps a little bread and 

 gravy, or some such nourishing food. 



Now for the first time examine the puppies; harden your 

 heart, and decide which are to be given to the bucket and 

 which to the world. Remember that you stand more 



