THE MASTER'S EXPENSES 119 



There is some diversity of opinion as to what class 

 furnish the best "walks." In our part of the country 

 we lean to the tradesmen, for these have facilities not 

 alone for giving the puppies exercise in running each 

 morning after the carts on their rounds, but also for 

 bringing them in contact with fresh people every day 

 and curing them of shyness. The farmer, on the other 

 hand, may be just as good if he will give them suffi- 

 cient liberty and let them chase the hares. I may differ 

 from some authorities on this point, but I never yet 

 knew a hound to suffer from having chased hares in 

 its younger days. Such fun teaches the animal to be 

 watchful and keen, instead of staring or playing aim- 

 lessly. Hounds may also be walked well in a gentle- 

 man's house, but they must in this case be made to go 

 out to exercise with the horses each mornmg, as there 

 is otherwise the serious risk of their getting too little 

 work and growing up in consequence coarse and 

 " throaty." 



Oatmeal porridge is the best food for puppies, far 

 better than milk, which is liable to scour them. More- 

 over, it accustoms them to porridge, which, with the 

 variation of broth, is their diet later in life. A few 

 Spratt's biscuits will also be found beneficial, say one 

 a day to begin with, and then later in greater quantity. 

 A boiled sheep's head may also be given when the 

 puppies grow stronger, but they will be better in quite 

 early days for as little meat as possible. It is the 

 gravest mistake to assume that a young growing animal 

 requires a deal of meat. A few bones now and then, 

 with very little meat on them, are good for the teeth 



