FEEDING. 195 



floor, which will otherwise keep it damp. Puppies soon learn to lie 

 on this, and avoid the cold stones or bricks, except in the heats of 

 summer, when these do no harm. The stone or brick floor should 

 be so made as to avoid absorption of the urine, etc., which can only 

 be effected by employing glazed tiles or bricks that are not porous, 

 or by covering the whole with a layer of hydraulic cement, or with 

 asphalt, which answers nearly as well. Care should be taken 

 that there are no interstices between the boards, if the kennel is 

 made of them ; and in every way, while ventilation is provided, 

 cold draughts must be prevented. Cleanliness must also be at- 

 tended to rigidly by sweeping out the floor daily, and washing it 

 down at short intervals, and by changing the litter once a week at 

 the least. In the summer time, straw is not desirable, as it harbors 

 fleas, and, if the boarded floor is not considered sufficient, a thick 

 layer of pine sawdust will be the best material, as it is soft enough, 

 without harboring vermin of any kind ; the only objection to it be- 

 ing that the puppies are apt to wet it often, after which it becomes 

 offensive. 



FEEDING. 



The feeding of puppies is all important, and, unless they have 

 plenty of food sufficiently nourishing to allow of a proper growth, 

 it is impossible that they should become what they might be if fed 

 with the best materials for the purpose. From the time of wean- 

 ing to the end of the third month, when a decision must be arrived 

 at. as to their subsequent management, very little deviation is re- 

 quired from the plans described on page 191 ; that is, the pup- 

 pies should be fed every four hours upon the thickened broth made 

 from sheep's head, and thickened milk alternately. After that 

 time, however, their food must be given them rather stronger and 

 of a somewhat different nature, as we shall find in its proper place. 

 This food will be required for any kind of dog, but a single puppy 

 may very well be reared upon thickened milk, with the scraps of 

 the house in addition, including bones, which it will greedily pick, 

 and any odds and ends which are left on the plates. 



