472 BRITISH DOGS 



to the young, and a big risk is run of losing the lot. Without doubt 

 parasites in puppies kill at least three times as many as distemper, 

 or any other malady, and experience teaches that it is the chief 

 thing to fear in breeding almost any kind of dog. It cannot there- 

 fore be too strongly pointed out that it is absolutely necessary to 

 take Time by the forelock in this respect. 



A suitable place should be selected for the bitch a fortnight 

 prior to the eventful day, so that she may thoroughly settle down. 

 It should be a place that is moderately warm and free from damp 

 or draught, and a bed of soft oat straw should be provided. Her 

 diet prior to whelping should consist of a liberal allowance of cooked 

 food such as oatmeal, vegetables, and biscuits soaked in the liquor 

 from boiled sheeps' heads, etc., twice daily, the biggest meal to be 

 given at night. 



For two or three days after the birth of the pups the bitch 

 should have soft warm food and a small midday meal. A day or 

 two later this may be supplemented with some finely chopped meat 

 until the puppies are weaned. A little fresh raw meat is beneficial 

 for a bitch that has a nest of hungry youngsters almost continually 

 sucking her, and, for choice, grass-fed sheeps' paunches unwashed, 

 finely cut up. It is easy to digest, and the undigested portions of 

 herbage it contains (of which dogs are very fond) cools the blood 

 and acts as a mild aperient. The puppies should be docked when 

 a week old, and they should be allowed to remain with the dam 

 until they are at least six or seven weeks old, when the bitch usually 

 tires of them somewhat, and they will be best separated, and the 

 puppies put into a kennel by themselves, or else sent out to 

 " walk." 



On no account should a growing puppy be tied up. If this is 

 done, crooked legs are inevitable, the elbows stand out, and the dog 

 is practically ruined. Such a deformity would certainly be of no 

 use for exhibition or sale. In the absence of plenty of kennel room 

 and unlimited exercising-ground, the best thing to do with puppies 

 as soon as they begin to eat well is to put them out to " walk " one 

 here and another there with people in the country willing to take 

 them for a trifling amount per week. They are usually well looked 

 after, get a varied diet of plain cooked food, plenty of exercise, and 

 stand a far better chance of developing their sense of smell than 

 when shut up in town. When six months old they should begin 

 to get shapely, and be fit to do a little on the show-bench or in the 

 field. There is, however, always more or less risk in exhibiting very 

 young puppies. 



There is no fixed rule for preparing an Irish Terrier for show ; 

 everything depends upon the individual. Whereas one is always as fit 

 as the proverbial fiddle, another takes a good deal of getting ready, 

 by virtue of having too much coat ; others there are who by nature 



