The Care of Puppies After Weaning. 



One of the greatest essentials in the rearing of puppies, especially the 

 case in large breeds, is sufficient exercise. Under no consideration chain 

 them, but allow almost absolute freedom of movement. If kept in a pen, it 

 should be large and so constructed that they can lie down or stand on all 

 fours and look between the boards ; for standing on the hind legs to look 

 over, would invite weak backs and cow-hacks. The sleeping quarters should 

 be kept scrupulously clean, frequently whitewashed, and free from draughts. 

 Tn the warmer weather, pine shavings or sawdust is the best bedding; in 

 winter, use clean straw, and change it frequently. 



In feeding puppies, their discharges should be watched, and the diet varied 

 as the need manifests itself. Milk is one of the most important articles of 

 food in the earlier weeks after weaning. It may be frequently given; 

 some caution must be used, however. It should be old or skimmed — never 

 fresh from the cow. Three or four times a week, sour milk may be given, 

 as it is an enemy to worms. It will be well to add limewater to sweet milk 

 when used. The proportion should be nearly one-sixth part. 



Sometimes when feeding milk freely to very young puppies, diarrhoea 

 manifests itself. A change must at once be made to beef tea and broths, into 

 which may be broken crackers or bread. Too much importance cannot be 

 given to the early administration of meat, which must be fresh and lean. 

 Unsound food should never be used in any form. Meat may be given raw or 

 cooked, — small quantities of the former at first, — and when the age of three 

 or four months is reached, let it be scraped or finely cut, and given after other 

 food has been eaten. 



Meat may be cooked alone or with vegetables,— onions in small quantities 

 are especially healthy and palatable, — then removed, and in the liquor, oat- 

 meal, indian meal, or wheat middlings, should be well boiled and thoroughly 

 cooked. Then the meat can be chopped up and added with the crushed veg- 

 etables. Rice and pearl-barley may be given occasionally. 



Liver, from its laxative action, must be used guardedly, if at all. Large 

 bones may frequently be given ; but beware of small bones that may possibly 

 sliver, for many valuable dogs have been killed by them. Remember always 



