Kennels. 173 



eight in the clear, roof covered with water-proof 

 paper, and hinged so as to Hft entire roof easily, 

 the hinges being in front. 



The opening in front, at either side, should 

 be small, ten by eighteen, and closed by hanging 

 carpet, ventilation being secured by raising the 

 hinged roof the desired height from the floor. 



A shelf six inches wide, four inches from the 

 floor, should extend all around four sides, thus 

 preventing lying upon the pups when young, or 

 crowding them into a corner, a practice very 

 common with hound bitches, and the means of 

 killing a large percentage of pups. These whelp- 

 ing boxes should be made portable and raised six 

 inches from the ground upon strong legs. The 

 boxes should be placed far apart, and at some dis- 

 tance from the kennels. Straw is the best bed- 

 ding, and should be renewed as soon as sure the 

 bitch is through whelping. 



A bitch that is known to be rough and care- 

 less towards her pups should not be given a 

 whelping box. A small house with a dry dirt 

 floor is best. In this, hollow out a nest several 

 days in advance that she may become accustomed 

 to it. 



The circular form of nest will prevent her 

 lying or stepping upon the pups as they will al- 

 ways gravitate toward the center. The antiseptic 

 qualities of the dry earth are too well known to 

 need comment. 



