260 REARING. , 
can never be necessary to adopt artificial heat in rearing puppies, 
because for public coursing they are required to be whelped after 
the last day of the year, and four months from that time takes us 
on to May, when the weather is seldom cold enough to require 
a stove; and then during the summer months they are gradually 
hardened to the vicissitudes of the weather, and as they become 
older their growth is established, and they are no longer in danger 
of its being checked. It is true that. some few coursers always 
keep their kennels at 60°; but, on the whole, as we sliall hereafter 
find, the plan is not a good one, and need not be considered 
here. But far beyond the warmth is dryness essential to success. 
Dogs will bear almost any amount of cold if unaccompanied by 
damp, provided they have plenty of straw to lie on; but a damp 
kennel, even if warm, is sure to lead to rickets or rheumatism, 
if the puppies escape inflammation of some one or more of the 
internal organs. Take care, therefore, to give a dry bedstead of 
boards, lined with the same material ‘towards the wall (the cold 
of which strikes inwards and gives cold), and raised somewhat 
from the floor, which will otherwise keep it damp. Puppies soon 
learn to lie on this, and avoid the cold stones or bricks, except 
in the heat of summer, when these do no harm. ‘The stone or 
brick floor should be so made as to avoid absorption of the urine, 
&c., which can only be effected by employing glazed tiles or bricks 
that are not porous, or by covering the whole with a layer of London 
or Portland 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. Clean-. 
liness must also be attended 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 harbours fleas; and if the boarded floor is 
not considered sufficient, a thick layer of deal sawdust will be the 
best material, as it is soft enough, without harbouring vermin of 
any kind; the only objection to it being that the puppies are apt 
to wet it often, after which it becomes offensive. 
