General Alanagcnictit of the Dog, 105 



mixed together and gradually introduced as the regular 

 and staple food. The quantity per day will of course 

 vary according to the size of the puppy ; but, as an ap- 

 proximation to the proper weight required, it may be laid 

 down that for each pound the puppy weighs an ounce of 

 moderately solid food will be sufficient. From the time 

 of weaning up to the tenth week it should be fed four 

 times a day; then up to four months, three times; and 

 afterwards twice until full-grown, when a single feed will, 

 in our opinion, conduce to its health, though many prefer 

 going on with the morning and evening supply. When 

 the puppy is full-grown, meat, bread, and vegetables 

 (either potatoes, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, or pars- 

 nips), in equal proportions, will form the proper diet, care 

 being taken to avoid bread made with much alum in it. 

 Dog biscuits, if sound, answ^er well for pet dogs; but the 

 quantity required is so small that in most houses the 

 scraps of the bread-»basket are quite sufficient. Bones 

 should be supplied daily, for without them not only are 

 the teeth liable to become covered with tartar, but the 

 digestion is impaired for want of a sufficient secretion of 

 saliva. 



If the above quality and quantity of food and exercise 

 are given m combination with the protection from cold 

 recommended, the pet puppy will seldom require any 

 medical treatment. Sometimes, in spite of the most 

 careful management, it will be attacked by distemper con- 

 tracted from some passing dog infected with it ; but with 

 this exception, w^iich \\\\\ not often occur, it may be anti- 

 cipated that the properly treated pet dog will pass through 

 life without submitting to the attacks of this disease, 

 which is dire in its effects upon this division of the canine 

 race. If care is taken to add oatmeal and green vege- 

 tables to the food in quantity sufficient to keep the 

 bowels from being confined, no aperient will ever be re- 

 quired ; but som^etimes this precaution is neglected, and 

 then recourse must be had either to castor oil or the 

 compound rhubarb pill — the dose being one drop of the 

 former or half a grain of the latter to each pound the 

 puppy weighs. If the oil is stirred up with some milk, 



