250 BREEDING. 
the hand, rolling loosely under it, but not evident to the eye so as 
to count them. It is better to separate the bitch from other dogs 
during the last week or ten days, as she then becomes restless, and 
is instinctively and constantly looking for a place to whelp in, 
whereas, if she is prevented from occupying any desirable corner 
she is uneasy. At this time the food should be of a very sloppy 
nature, chiefly composed of broth or milk and bread, adding oat- 
meal according to the state of the bowels. 
PREPARATION FOR WHELPING. 
The best mode of preparing a place for the bitch to whelp in is 
to nail a piece of old carpet over a smooth boarded floor, to a 
regular “bench,” if in a sporting kennel; or on a door or other 
flat piece of board raised a few inches from the ground, if for any 
other breed. When a regular wooden box or kennel, as these are 
called in ordinary language, is used for the bitch, she may as well 
continue to occupy it, as she will be more contented than in a 
fresh place; but it is not so easy to get at her there if anything 
goes wrong with either mother or whelps, and on that account it 
is not a desirable place. A board, large or small, according to the 
size of the bitch, with a raised edge to prevent the puppies rolling 
off, and supported by bricks a few inches from the ground, is all 
that is required for the most valuable animal; and if a piece of 
carpet, as before mentioned, is tacked upon this, and some straw 
placed upon all, the height of comfort is afforded to both mother 
and offspring. The use of the carpet is to allow the puppies to 
catch their claws in it as they are working at the mother’s teats ; 
for without it they slip over the board, and they are restless, and 
unable to fill themselves well; while, at the same time, they 
scratch all the straw away, and are left bare and cold. 
HEALTHY PARTURITION. 
During whelping the only management required is in regard to 
food and quiet, which last should as far as possible be enjoined, 
as at this time all bitches are watchful and suspicious, and will 
