EARLIEST PUPPYHOOD. 297 



ear or the like, can seldom if ever be detected until a 

 later age. But when any such defects are clearly evident, 

 as a rule he is wisest in the end who destroys the victims, 

 for although he might dispose of some of them for a few 

 dollars, the sums received could scarcely compensate him 

 for the risks he takes of endangering the reputation of 

 his kennel. 



It is well to add here that if the unfortunates are more 

 than two or three weeks old they should not be destroyed by 

 drowning, but the dilute prussic acid should be given them, 

 and not less than half a teaspoonful to the youngest and 

 smallest victims, while to the others, four or five months 

 of age, or older, the dose should be one teaspoonful. 



Although these doses are large they are none too large, 

 for there must not be any failure in the attempt to 

 destroy. 



It is the custom of not a few breeders, when they have 

 very large litters that must be weeded out, to sacrifice the 

 bitches whether or not they are superior to the dogs in 

 size, form, markings, etc. There is, of course, a better 

 market for their choice, but still such a hard-and-fast rule 

 must be deplored, for far better a good bitch than an in- 

 different dog even if the latter will sell for a trifle more. 

 And when there are two doubtful specimens in a 

 litter, a bitch and a dog, and one of them must go, the 

 owner will do wisely to keep the former, for should she 

 turn out but moderate she might still be of value for 

 breeding purposes ; whereas the dog, if an indifferent 

 specimen of his breed, would generally be hard to dispose 

 of, would be practically shut out from bench shows, and 

 seldom profitable as a stud. 



In fact it is a good plan always to keep what promises 

 to be the best bitch in each litter until she is mature or at 

 least so well developed that it is possible to tell with near 



