THE FOSTER NURSE. 189 



ears, it may be surmised that there will be no fanlt in his shape in 

 reference to his fore quarter, supposing that his legs are well 

 formed and bis feet of the proper shape, which last point can 

 hardly be ascertained at this time. The width of the hips, and 

 shape of the chest, with the formation of the loin, may also be 

 conjectured, and the length of the neck is in like measure shadow- 

 ed forth, though not with the same certainty as the shoulders and 

 ribs. A ver} r fat puppy will look pudgy to an inexperienced eye, 

 so that it is necessary to take this into consideration in making the 

 selection ; but fat is a sign of strength, bot'.i actual and constita- 

 tional, when it is remarKably permanent in one or two among a 

 litter, for it can only be obtained either by depriving the others of 

 their shara of milk by main force, or through such constitutional 

 vigor as to thrive bett:r on the same share of aliment. The navel 

 should be examined to ascertain if there is any rupture, and this 

 alone is a reason for deferring the choice until nearly the end of the 

 first week, up to which time there is no means of judging as to this 

 defect. Indeed, if possible, it is always better to rear nearly 

 all until after weaning, either on the dam herself or on a foster- 

 nurse, as at that time tiie future shape is very manifest, and the 

 consequences of weaning are shown, either in a wasting away of 

 the whole body, or in a recovery from its effects in a short time. 

 Sometimes, however, there are not conveniences for either, and 

 then recourse must be had to an early choice on the principles in- 

 dicated above. 



THE FOSTER-NURSE. 



The foster nurse need not be of the same breed as the puppies 

 which she is to suckle ; a smooth-skinned bitch is superior for the 

 purpose to one with a rough coat, which is apt to harbor fleas, and 

 in other ways conduces to the increase of dirt. For all large 

 breeds the bull-terrier (which is most commonly kept among 

 the class who alone are likely to sell the services of a nurse) 

 answers as well as any other, and her milk is generally plentiful 



