Selection of the Dog 



correct. Puppies are frequently infested with 

 worms, though not as often as some would have us 

 think. Because of this popular fancy, many very 

 young puppies have been so severely dosed with 

 worm concoctions that their sensitive digestive 

 mechanism has become greatly impaired. 



At from three to four months puppies frequently 

 suffer from indigestion, worms, rickets, and eczema, 

 all of which, though not particularly dangerous if 

 attended to, may, when neglected, prove fatal. 

 During the first year the dog is very susceptible to 

 distemper and until he has acquired a natural re- 

 sistance this disease is very fatal, accounting for 

 more deaths than any other puppy ailment. 



The development of the dog is very uncertain. 

 Even those who are experienced in handling dogs 

 find great difficulty in forecasting the future of the 

 pup. Puppies that show promise of developing into 

 beautiful specimens of the breed often turn out to 

 be complete failures; while others which show no 

 prospects, when young occasionally develop to be 

 winners.^ This is more or less true of all breeds, 

 but is especially so in those where size and coat are 

 of prime importance. When the puppy fails to de- 

 velop to the expectations of the owner, he will be 

 likely to overlook the discrepancy because he has 

 become so attached to the animal that he will not 

 give him up. 



Mature Dog. — In the purchase of a full-grown 

 dog the initial cost will, of course, be greater, but 



139 



