96 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



with a sort of veranda up under the roof. Your 

 packing-box simply needs its top left on, and 

 above it the roof is erected with a running board a 

 foot high all around, and the roof a lean-to with 

 the upper side open. Here the bitch can retire for 

 a rest when she wants to get away from the pup- 

 pies for a little while — a vacation much appre- 

 ciated by any mother, human or canine ! 



For winter bedding good clean straw is better 

 than the mat, for it permits the dog to make him- 

 self a nest and is warmer and less draughty than 

 the plain mat. Excelsior, shavings, hay, and 

 leaves are all objectionable, because of splinters, 

 fine dust, hay seeds, dirt, etc., which the dog 

 breathes in through his nostrils when lying in such 

 a bed. 



The housing problem for your pup is by no 

 means through when you have provided mat or 

 kennel, for some breeds, notably setter and span- 

 iel puppies, so crave human companionship that 

 they will howl and bawl if tied to a kennel, also if 

 tied in the cellar, and ditto if tied downstairs. 

 In point of fact they want to share your bedroom 

 with you — ^which you will have force of character 

 enough to forbid ! Install him in a place free from 

 draughts and commanding the whole of down- 

 stairs, and you have him at his best as a watch- 



