THE FOSTER-NURSE. 255 
the chest, with the formation of the loin, may also be conjectured, 
‘and the length of the neck is in like measure shadowed forth, 
though not with the same certainty as the shoulders and ribs, A 
very 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, both actual and constitutional, 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 share of 
milk by main force, or through such constitutional vigour as to 
thrive better 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 till nearly the end of the first week, 
up to which time there is no means of judging as to its existence. 
Indeed, if possible, it is always better to rear nearly all till after 
weaning, either on the dam herself or on a foster-nurse, as at that 
time the 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, how- 
ever, there are not conveniences for either, and then recourse must 
be had to an early choice on the principles indicated above. 
THE FOSTER-NURSE 
Need not be of the same breed as the puppies which she is to 
suckle, and at all times a smooth-skinned bitch is superior for the 
purpose to one with a rough coat, which is apt to harbour fleas, 
and in other ways conduce to the increase of dirt. For all large 
breeds the bull-terrier (which is the 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 
and good. For small breeds any little house dog will suffice, 
taking care that the skin is healthy, and that the constitution is 
not impaired by confinement or gross feeding. Greyhound puppies 
are very commonly reared by bull-bitches without any disadvantage, 
clearly proving the propriety of the plan. It may generally be 
reckoned, in fixing the number which a bitch can suckle with 
advantage, that, of greyhound or pointer puppies, for every seven 
pounds in her own weight the bitch can do one well; so that an 
