British Dogs at Work 



the supply of meat in the daily dietary, and 

 reduce farinaceous stuffs. For the first five 

 weeks she should have her usual quantity of 

 exercise, and after this she should have 

 plenty of walking but no rushing about. If 

 heavy bone is desirable in the whelps a 

 plentiful supply of meat to the dam is indi- 

 cated, and a teaspoonful of precipitated 

 phosphate of lime is to be advised once a 

 day in the food. 



Sixty-three days is the normal period of 

 gestation, but it is as well to be prepared for 

 eventualities at any time after the sixtieth 

 day. If a large litter is expected a foster- 

 mother must be on the premises, and I have 

 known it necessary to have a couple. Six 

 puppies are sufficient for any dam to suckle. 

 The date of whelping of the foster should 

 synchronise as nearly as possible with that 

 of the mother, as she is more likely to take 

 to the puppies. Much diplomacy is some- 

 times needed to ensure that the foster shall 



adopt the little strangers. Remove her from 



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