66 THE REARING OF YOUNG DOGS. 



without them ; whenever, therefore, puppies have fits, irregular 

 bowels, violent and unnatural appetite, and a general unhealthy 

 appearance, worms may be suspected as the cause. — Rickets 

 also are very injurious to some of them, particularly among the 

 breeds that are closely confined, as in cities and large manufactu- 

 ring towns. See Diseases of Bones, Class VI. Young dogs are 

 also liable to a peculiar spasmodic afi*ection of the bowels. I 

 have seen it epidemic among them. See Spasmodic Colicy 

 Class II. 



The age of dogs. — These animals do not, like horses and 

 cattle, present any exact criterion of their age ; nevertheless, 

 attention to the following appearances will assist us in determining 

 the matter. At about four years, the front teeth lose their points, 

 and each of them presents a flattened surface, which increases as 

 the age advances ; they likewise lose their whiteness. In dogs 

 fed much on bones, and in those who ^^fetch and carry" these 

 teeth sufl^er very much, and are sometimes broken out, while the 

 dog is yet young. The holders, or tusks, are also blunted by the 

 same causes. At seven or eight, the hair about the eyes becomes 

 slightly grey. Gradually, likewise, a greyish tint extends over 

 the face ; but it is not till ten, eleven, or twelve years, that the 

 eyes lose their lustre : when become dim, general decay proceeds 

 rapidly, though the life of some dogs is extended to fifteen, sixteen, 

 or seventeen years ; and I have seen a mother and son vigorous at 

 twenty and twenty-one years old. Although such instances as 

 the latter must be considered as rare, yet even these have been 

 exceeded, if I might depend on my authority ; for I once saw a small 

 French dog, which I was assured had reached his twenty-fourth 

 year, and which, at the time I saw him, was still vigorous and 

 lively. I am not aware that much difference exists between the 

 various breeds, as to the age they arrive at : spaniels, however, I 

 have observed are usually long lived ; while terriers, on the con- 

 trary, I have seldom observed very old. The usual life of the dog 

 may be considered as ranging between twelve and fifteen years : 



