198 BEARING. 



during the greater part of his time, is inclined to gallop when first 

 let out, and takes in this way more exercise than thoso brought up 

 on the other plan ; so that, after considering both methods, I have 

 come to the conclusion that the home rearing is preferable on the 

 whole, though there is no doubt that good dogs may be reared in 

 either way. 



The best plan is to fence off a long slip of grass ; or, if a small 

 walled enclosure can be procured, fence off about a yard or two 

 all round, by which last plan an excellent gallop is secured, with- 

 out the possibility of cutting corners, and with a very slight loss 

 of ground. An admirable plan is to build four large sleeping 

 rooms in a square block, and then all round this let there be a run 

 two yards wide, which may be separated into four divisions, or 

 thrown into one at will. If the latter, the puppies will exercise 

 themselves well round and round the building, which is a practice 

 they are very fond of; and, even if two or more lots are wanted to 

 occupy the compartments, the whole can be thrown open to each 

 lot in turn. When this plan is adopted, the run should be paved, 

 so that the expense is much greater than in the other mode, in 

 which the natural soil is allowable, because the puppies are not 

 kept on it long enough to stain it. 



THE FOOD OF PUPPIES AT HOME OR "AT WALK," AND ITS 

 PROPER PREPARATION. 



Whether at home or out, puppies require the same kind of food, 

 and the more regularly this is given as to quantity and quality, as 

 well as the times of feeding them, the more healthy they will be, 

 and the faster they will grow. Many people consider milk to be by 

 far the best article of food for growing puppies, and undoubtedly 

 it is a good one, but it is not superior to a mixed diet of meal and 

 animal food in proper proportions, and occasionally varied by the 

 addition of green vegetables. Indeed, after three months, or at 

 most four, puppies may be fed like grown dogs as to the quality 



