Breeding and Raising Hounds. 157 



If one should die or be crushed, remove the 

 body at the first opportunity, as her incHnation 

 and instinct to eat it may lead to the eating of all. 

 This also frequently happens when they are 

 moved from place to place or disturbed or inter- 

 fered with. A bitch in good condition, getting 

 plenty of food and exercise, can raise eight pup- 

 pies, though I had a bitch raise fifteen of her 

 own whelping. 



If a foster mother is considered desirable, 

 make the exchange gradually, one or two at a 

 time, removing one of the foster mother's pups 

 every time you add a strange one, and rub some 

 of the foster mother's milk over the added pup. 



Their eyes will open in nine days, and from 

 three to four weeks old they will lap milk or soup; 

 the former should always be boiled, thinned with 

 water, and a little sugar added. Later bread 

 crumbs and well-boiled meat may also be added. 



They should be given a simple remedy for 

 worms at five to six weeks of age, as all pups, no 

 matter how or where raised, are troubled with 

 these pests of puppyhood. 



Puppies kept clean and dry more frequently 

 escape the terrible ravages of distemper than 

 others. Feed them three or four times daily until 

 six months of age, when once daily (preferably 

 at night) will suffice. 



Avoid giving medicine as much as possible; 

 more hounds die from the improper and excess- 



