68 rate SHOOTER'S 



the dam; and you may therefore make your choice 

 accordingly. 



After pupping, a bitch should not be confined, but 

 go in and out as she pleases. Of all things avoid 

 putting puppies into a stable; as they are continually 

 in danger of being trod upon by the horses, from the 

 moment they are able to crawl, as well as being liable 

 to be killed by the groom, in bedding, &c. his horses* 

 A horse too, let him be ever so fatigued, will not lie 

 down while a dog is in the litter under him : besides, 

 I have good reason to believe, that the offensive 

 smell, which is caused by dogs continually lying in a- 

 stable, prevents horses from thriving so well. This 

 practice may be common; but most assuredly it is a 

 very bad one. 



Puppies, when first brought forth, are blind, and 

 remain so for nine days : this is the proper time for 

 drawing their tails. It is not common to shorten a- 

 setter's tail; and long-tailed pointers are coming 

 much into fashion. I am of opinion that dog's tails 

 should be left just as nature formed them . To shorten 

 a setter's tail, is certainly to spoil his handsome ap- 

 pearance; and I have seen persons simple enough to 

 do it. However, should the sportsman be disposed to 

 shorten the tails of his pointers, let him do it when 

 the 'puppies are nine or ten days old ; and this opera- 

 tion should be performed without the aid of either 

 knife or scissars: by pressing your thumb nail upon 

 your fore finger, twisting the end of the tail round; 



