56 HOUNDS. 



just when they like after the first two or three days, 

 as they keep much fresher than if always shut up 

 with them. 



After weaning, the bitch will require a good dose 

 of physic, and a few days later, if the weather is 

 suitable, she should be dressed all over. 



The puppies can be weaned at about five to six 

 weeks old, and then their food should consist of 

 good new cow's milk thickened with just a few 

 thoroughly-soaked ship's biscuits, and occasionally a 

 raw bone with some flesh on it will do them good. 

 If the milk is boiled before being given to the 

 puppies it is an advantage. 



The ideal kennel for brood bitches consists of 

 three divisions. The inner one for the whelps and 

 the outer one for the bitch, these being divided by 

 a door about 2 feet 6 inches high, to enable the 

 bitch to jump over and get away from her puppies 

 when they begin to worry her. Both these compart- 

 ments are covered in, and, adjoining, there should 

 be a small, open yard. 



The above is an excellent plan, especially if it is 

 inconvenient to let the bitches run about after 

 whelping. 



I know a pack of foxhounds that have a range of 

 eight kennels such as I have described, but they 

 seldom use them, except in the early spring, as 

 the huntsman prefers putting the puppies in coops 

 under the trees, with low railings round to pre- 



