DOGS. 27 



When about four or five weeks old, young whelps 

 are usually looked to, with a view of redressing any 

 imperfection which may exist in their appearance; 

 they are now deprived of their dew claws; and a 

 piece may be pinched off the tail, if too long; where 

 their ears require paring, it may now be done. 

 Emasculation of the males, if intended, should now 

 be effected; this renders the animal much more 

 docile and agreeable. 



A very old and strange prejudice is still existent 

 as to dogs having a worm beneath their tongue; and 

 the general opinion is, that unless this be removed, 

 by the process, termed WORMING, the animal will 

 bite at whatever comes in its way, should it ever be 

 affected with fits or with the hydrophobia. In truth, 

 no such worm exists, and the operation itself is both 

 cruel and unnecessary. What is called the worm, is 

 merely a small ligament in the bridle beneath the 

 tongue; and when the bridle is out, the ligament 

 may be drawn forward and separated at both extre- 

 mities; the contraction of this ligament, when first 

 seen, resembles the movements of a worm hence 

 the origin of the ignorant idea about the worm. 



The feeding of young dogs rarely meets with the 

 attention its importance deserves; too often they are 

 but half fed, and left, for the remainder, to what 

 they can pick up: this plan is very objectionable, 

 and we would press upon the notice of those who 

 keep dogs, not to trust to the chance of what they 

 may pick up either in the kitchen or the parlour, but 

 to give them their own regular daily meal of food 

 adapted to the wants of the dog, and having refer- 

 ence to the duties required of it. 



Flesh, generally speaking, is the most eligible 



