206 REARIXG. 



stall-post, so as to prevent the puj^pies getting among the horses. 

 In either case there is an amount of artificial heat, which con- 

 duces to the growth of the puj^pies, and allows them to be reared 

 sufficiently strong to bear any cold afterwards with impunity. 

 If the weather is not cold, an ordinary horse-box is the best place 

 which can be chosen, fixing the boarded stage at a distance from 

 the door, and either sanding or slightly littering the brick floor, 

 according to the weather ; but the latter is to be preferred, ex- 

 cepting in a very hot summer. In these boxes puppies take a vast 

 amount of exercise, which the}^ require for health, and to give 

 that appetite without which sufficient food for growth is not 

 taken. 



REMOVAL OP DEW-CLAWS, ETC. 



Before iceanmg, any cropping which is intended, whether of 

 the dew-claw or tail, shovdd be practised, but the ears should be 

 left alone till the third or fourth month, as they are not suffi- 

 ciently developed before. If, however, the operator does not 

 understand his business thoroughly, it is better to leave the 

 latter organs alone, till a later period, as otherwise the proper 

 quantity may not be cropped or rounded, as the case may be. 

 Indeed, even the most skilfid hand will hardly ever manage either 

 the one or the other well before the fifth month ; and in hounds 

 it is usual to defer it till they are nearly full grown, as they often 

 lose a considerable quantity' of blood, which interferes with their 



