USEFUL INFORMATION REGARDING DOGS. 257 



PUPPIES 



A valuable special article, written by Harry W. Lacy, editor American 

 Fancier, for this book: 



There is such a vast difference in the constitution, purpose and envi- 

 ronment of different breeds that each one must be regarded in a different 

 light. A lapdog leading a sedentary life must not be fed like a setter, nor 

 a bulldog like a hard-worked hound. So it is in training. Each breed 

 must be approached according to its natural vocation. 



There should be no trouble in raising most of the puppies, and the point 

 that most inexperienced people fail to realize is that the puppy organism is 

 a comparatively delicate one, requiring considerable care. 



The most delicate time in a puppy's life is from the fifth or sixth week 

 — the time of weaning — until at least the third month — it is between these 

 ages that most puppies are sold. Up to the age of weaning the pup has 

 been reared exclusively by its mother, and it is during the time following 

 this period, when the youngster is having a change of food, that it is sub- 

 ject to a variety of ills. To start at the beginning, the pup you have 

 selected is either a nervous littte thing, needing reassurance, or a cheeky 

 brat, that needs suppressing from fche first. You will know which va- 

 riety you have got the instant the lid of the box is off and the pup finds 

 himself in a strange place. The few hours on the journey have been trying 

 ones. Taken from his dam and friends and set down amid the noise of 

 strange sounds, he often has a case of nerves. But the dog above all is 

 a gregarious creature and If properly approached he will make himself at 

 home. 



The moment the puppy arrives is the time to take possession of the 

 field. For at least a week the utmost vigilance is required. If care be 

 taken to prevent him from erring in that first week, he will know his posi- 

 tion and limitations at once. But if he be allowed to own the house it 

 will mean months of arduous and discouraging work later to subdue him. 

 If the pup shows signs of fear at first, caress him a little just to get up 

 his nerve, but be careful to have him alone, as there is nothing so discon- 

 certing to the infant as to be pounced upon by a lot of strangers. When 

 he shows signs of "coming to" let him have a few moments exercise in the 

 yard by himself. The air will benefit him after confinement and it will give 

 him an opportunity to answer the imperative calls of puppy nature. 



After a slight investigation and a few turns around the yard the pup 

 will regain his nerves and be ready for a feed — most of them are con- 

 stantly thinking of their stomachs when awake. Be careful to make his 

 meal very frugal, as it is always unwise to feed while the pup is in a 

 state of excitement, or immediately after strenuous exercise. I would 

 recommend a little "puppy biscuit" — which can be procured at any of the 

 pet shops — cracked up fine and softened with hot water. A little pure 

 gravy or meat soup-stock, free from grease, added will prove very tempt- 

 ing, but if he will take the biscuit alone it is just as well to omit the gravy, 

 until you are sure the pup is healthy. Pups, like babies, have extremely 

 delicate interior plumbing, and if that can be kept in order until they are 

 well started on their growth there should be no difficulty. 



After feeding procure a solid beef bone — not too large for the dog to 

 handle with ease — with nothing on it but a bit of tooth gristle, and let 

 him take it to his bed and be quiet. There is no solace so sweet as a good 

 bone. Left alone he will soon devote his time to the bone and gnaw him- 

 self asleep. And if undisturbed he will awaken with a kindly disposition 



