TAKEN INTO KENNEL. 65 



Young hounds should be fed twice a-day, as 

 they seldom take kindly at first to the kennel- 

 meat, and the distemper is very apt to seize them 

 at this time. It is better not to round them till 

 they are thoroughly settled; nor should it be 

 put off till the hot weather, for then they would 

 bleed too much.* If any of the dogs are thin 

 over the back, or any more quarrelsome than the 

 rest, it will be of use to cut them : I also spay 

 such bitches as I think I shall not want to breed 

 from ; they are more useful, are stouter, and are 

 always in better order : besides, it is absolutely 

 necessary if you hunt late in the spring, or your 

 pack will be very short for want of it. It may 

 be right to tell you, that the latter operation 

 does not always succeed ; it will be necessary 

 therefore to employ a skilful person, and one on 

 whom you can depend ; for if it is ill done, 

 though they cannot have puppies, they will go 

 to heat notwithstanding, of which I have known 



*. 



• It may be better, perhaps, to round them at their 

 quarters, when about six months old ; should it be done 

 sooner, it would make their ears tuck up. The tailing of 

 them is usually done before they are put out ; it might be 

 better, perhaps, to leave it till they are taken in. Dogs 

 must not be rounded at the time they have the distemper 

 upon them ; the loss of blood would weaken them too 

 much. 



