196 REARING. : 



Regularity of feeding in puppies, as in adult animals, is of the 

 utmost importance; and it will always be found that if two pup- 

 pies are equally well reared in other respects, and one fed at regu- 

 lar hours, while the other is only supplied at the caprice of ser- 

 vants, the former will excel the latter in size and health, as well as 

 in the symmetrical development of the body. It is also very neces- 

 sary to avoid leaving any part of one meal in the pans or feeding- 

 troughs until the next, as nothing disgusts the dog more than seeing 

 food left in this way. The moment the puppies fill themselves^ 

 take away the surplus ; and, indeed, it is better still to anticipate 

 them by stopping them before they have quite done. All this re- 

 quires considerable tact and experience, and there are very few 

 servants who are able and willing to carry out these directions 

 fully. 



EXERCISE. 



Exercise is necessary at all ages, but the fully developed dog 

 may be confined for some litile time without permanent injury, 

 the formation of his feet and the texture of his bones and muscles 

 being then finally settled. On the other hand, the puppy will 

 grow according to the demand made upon his mechanism, and if 

 the muscles are left idle they do not enlarge; while the feet re- 

 main thin and weak, with the tendons and ligaments relaxed, so 

 that they spread out like a human hand. Growing puppies should 

 be provided with an area sufficiently large for them to play in, 

 according to their size, and under.cover up to the end of the third 

 month ; after which, if they have a sheltered sleeping-place to run 

 into, they will generally avoid heavy rain. Young puppies play 

 sufficiently in a loose box or similar enclosure ; but, after the time 

 specified above, they must either have their entire liberty, or be 

 allowed the run of a larger space, the alternative being bad feet, 

 defective development, and weak joints. 



