90 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



future behaviour, for after the first few days 

 they all become so many little fluffy balls of 

 fat and cannot be judged as to bonal structure. 

 However, when just born, a very fair idea of the 

 future conformation of head and body can be 

 formed. Later, at about two months, you can 

 judge of the most important anatomical feature of 

 the pup, his couplings or backbone vertebrae join- 

 ing the last ribs to the pelvis bones which support 

 the hind legs. These vertebrae, if you will study 

 the skeleton of a perfect dog, have long, strong 

 side-lugs, or ''processes," as the professors call 

 them, to which the strong muscles of the loin are 

 secured. If this back structure is not broad and 

 strong the pup will never amount to much. Thin 

 and weak there, he is like a ship with a weak keel, 

 hopelessly unseaworthy. Leave the selection of 

 these points to the kennelman if at a great dis- 

 tance; if anywhere within even five dollars' car- 

 fare, better go and pick out your pup with his help. 

 For Airedales, spaniels, beagles and some hounds, 

 the Eastern man will find suitable kennels within 

 carfare range. For pointers and setters, the 

 Middle West seems to be headquarters, and the 

 pup must be bought on pedigree and your kennel- 

 man's selection. Most of them are entirely will- 

 ing to ship you a pup on approval, so your whole 



