CHAPTER V. 



CARE OF THE NEW-BORN. 



Early spring is far the most favorable season for whelp- 

 ing, since ere the youngsters have reached the weaning they 

 can be put out of doors for a few hours at least on all pleas- 

 ant days, where they are sure to gain in health, strength 

 and vitality with infinitely greater rapidity than when be- 

 tween walls. Breeders of long experience fully appreciate 

 this fact, also, that where open and pure air and sunshine 

 are denied during the early days of life the future is 

 greatly prejudiced ; consequently they have a decided 

 preference for those brood animals that come in use dur- 

 ing the first three or four months of the year. And 

 where the rule, fixed with some, to mate only in this 

 period is observed, the puppies not only do not require 

 such extreme care and attention but thrive infinitely bet- 

 ter, while being far on the road to maturity they are well 

 fortified against cold weather before it sets in. 



If warm, clean and well-ventilated quarters are provided 

 it is, of course, possible to rear winter puppies, yet even 

 in the presence of these conditions they scarcely ever do 

 as well and develop into as hardy specimens as those much 



260 



