Rearing. 471 



but I think it foolish to force medicine down the throats of puppies at 

 that age. 



In cases of purging, the finger, smeared with milk, which has been 

 thickened with prepared chalk, may be placed in the pup's mouth, when 

 the mixture will probably be swallowed and tend to check the diarrhoea. 

 Sometimes this is brought on by the pups being kept too close and warm. 

 Whatever may be the matter with the pups at that early age, it is better 

 to give the mother a mild aperient and vary the diet than to physic them. 

 When they begin to crawl about, it is a good plan, where it can be 

 done, to have alongside the nest a boarded floor, such as an old door or 

 some such thing, on which is nailed a bit of old carpet or sacking. The 

 pups, getting a good foothold on this, can creep about easily. 



In breeds in which the tail is usually docked this should be done whilst 

 the pups are still with the mother, and it is well to remove dew claws 

 then also. The pain caused is very slight, and the mother's tongue has 

 the effect of healing and comforting the wounds. 



Weaning Pups. When the dam is strong and has a sufficiency of milk 

 the pups should not be weaned before six weeks. All of them should, 

 for some time, have been able to lap well, and even to eat meat and 

 milk, thick porridge, broth, &c. ; but it is a mistake to give very young 

 pups meat at once on being weaned. That food should be gradually 

 adopted, a little only, torn into thin shreds, being first given, for they 

 have not the power of digesting it except in minute quantities. 



As the time for weaning approaches the times of the bitch's absence 

 from them should be daily more and more prolonged. 



Foster Mothers. It is not an uncommon idea that the foster mother 

 affects the mental qualities and temperament of the pups, but there is no 

 ground for it ; the milk of the foster mother and of the dam, if they are 

 both healthy, will answer the same to chemical analysis. The after 

 education the pup receives will affect the dog's temper, manners, and 

 ability for his special work, but the milk that nourishes him affects his 

 physical development only. 



When a foster mother has to be selected, see that she is in perfect 

 health, and quite clean, free from vermin, &c., and she should not be old, 

 for then the milk is rarely so good in quality or sufficient in quantity. 

 Smooth-coated bitches are preferable for this purpose. 



To get a bitch to take to the aliens a little patience and tact must be 



