190 HARE-HUNTING AND HARRIERS 



The mother with whelps should be kept as quiet 

 as possible, in some secluded corner of the kennels or, 

 if there is no such convenient place, in some comfort- 

 able outhouse or loose box. The kennel huntsman, 

 or feeder, or whoever attends her at this time, should 

 be well known to her. The mother should not be 

 permitted to bring up more than four or five of her 

 litter, even if she is a good milker. If the litter is a 

 large one, and it is desired to save another whelp or 

 two, a foster-mother must be procured. This is often 

 a matter of some difficulty. Spaniels and sheep dogs 

 have been recommended as good wet nurses in such 

 emergencies. 



The whelps are usually weaned after six or seven 

 weeks, if the mother has been able to support them so 

 long. Their food at first should consist of a mess of 

 milk, oatmeal, and good dog biscuits, mixed with a 

 little warm broth. Some kennel huntsmen give, in 

 addition, a little minced meat, lightly boiled. Others 

 add raw flesh, minced. If bom in February or early 

 March — February used to be considered the best 

 month by hound-breeders — the puppies will be ready 

 to be sent out to walk by mid- June. 



A puppy begins to be fit to learn something of the 

 business of his life by the time he is eighteen months 

 old. Before that period he will either have passed 

 his babyhood at the kennels, or have been put out at 

 walk at the house of some resident, usually a farmer, 

 or innkeeper, or other occupier, in the district. Harrier 

 packs are not, however, so fortunate in this respect 

 as are most of the foxhound establishments. The 

 practice of walking puppies can be encouraged in 

 various ways, and especially by the institution of 

 prizes for the best puppy walked, together with a show 

 and luncheon, when the prizes are distributed. During 



