264 / REARING. 
well as the times of feeding, the more healthy the puppy will be} 
and the faster he will grow. Many people consider milk to be by 
far the best article of food for growing. puppies, and undoubtedly 
itis 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 of 
their food, requiring it, however, to be given them more frequently 
the younger they are.. Up to six months they require it three 
times a day, at equal intervals, and after that age twice; for 
although there is a difference of opinion as to the propriety of 
feeding the adult once or twice a day, there is none about the 
puppy demanding a supply morning and evening. In all cases 
they should be encouraged to empty themselves (by allowing a 
run, if they are confined to kennel) just’ before feeding, and for an 
hour or two afterwards they are best at rest. If milk is given, it 
may be thickened by boiling in it oatmeal or wheat-flour, or both 
together, or biscuits may be scalded and added to it; but no flesh 
is needed in addition, bones only being required to amuse the dog 
and to clean his teeth by gnawing them. With these any dog 
may be very well reared, but the plan is an expensive one, if the 
milk has anything like the ordinary value attached to it, and if it 
has to be purchased the cost is generally quite prohibitory of its 
employment. 
Besides milk, the following articles are employed in feeding 
dogs, each of which will be separately considered, as to price and 
value. Of these, Indian meal is by far the best in proportion to 
its price (being quite equal to anything but the very best wheat- 
flour, which is perhaps slightly more nourishing), and, being so 
much cheaper, is, on that account, to be preferred. It requires to 
be mixed with oatmeal, in about equal proportions, or less of the 
latter if the bowels are at all relaxed. The usual price of Indian 
meal is about £10 or £12 per ton, half that of wheat and the 
same as that of barley, to which it is greatly to be preferred, 
being far less heating, and producing muscle in larger proportion. 
Oatmeal is considerably dearer, though the grain itself is cheaper ; 
but the quantity of meal obtained, owing to the amount of chaff, 
is so small, that when this is got rid of the meal is necessarily sold. 
