CHAPTER IV 

 The Care of Puppies 



WE are now to suppose that the bitch has been 

 despatched on a visit to her carefully-selected mate in 

 the security of a padlocked hamper ; that the union has 

 been successfully accomplished ; and that she has been 

 safely returned to her owner. 



For the next month she may be treated exactly as 

 usual in the matters of feeding and exercise, no precaution 

 of any kind being necessary so soon as her season has 

 passed. Moreover, as she should be in the very prime 

 of health and condition at this period, there can be no 

 objection to exhibiting her should it be desirable to do so. 



But at the end of the fourth week her condition is 

 to be taken into account, and from that date onwards 

 special care and supervision must be exercised. Sixty- 

 three days, including the date of service, is the period 

 of her pregnancy, and the average bob-tail whelps a 

 day or two earlier ; but tfitere is no cause for uneasiness 

 if she goes a few days beyond her time. Many breeders, 

 indeed, consider that puppies are all the healthier under 

 these circumstances. 



