CHAPTER V, 



THE CARE OF YOUNG PUPPIES 



THE dew claws on the front legs should always b'e 

 removed when the puppies are three or four days 

 old, and I also prefer taking off those on the hind 

 legs too, although this is not invariably done ; they 

 are quite useless and apt to be torn, and certainly 

 the limbs have a much smarter appearance when they 

 are absent. The operation is performed with a pair 

 of sharp scissors, and it is rarely followed by bleed- 

 ing to any extent. It is as well, however, to dip 

 the feet in a little mild disinfectant. Happily a 

 decree of the Kennel Club has made cropping illegal, 

 but docking, of course, is necessary in the case of 

 terriers and spaniels, and there is no doubt that it 

 is practically painless. This should be done about 

 the fourth day, and if there is any haemorrhage a 

 styptic, such as Friar's Balsam, should be applied. 

 The skin should be drawn well to the root of the 

 tail before the necessary part is snipped off with a 

 pair of sharp scissors. Docking requires to be done 

 with some care, or an unsightly stump may be left. 

 It is usual to remove about two-fifths of the tail of 

 the Fox Terrier ; Irish and Airedale Terriers should 

 lose rather more than one -half ; the Griffon 



