British Dogs at Work 



Now a word as to the puppies, upon which 

 so many hopes are centred. Little nourish- 

 ment is required for the first few hours after 

 birth, and it usually suffices if they are put 

 on to the dam when she has finished whelp- 

 ing. If strong and vigorous they will start 

 sucking at once, but you will find, as a rule, 

 that one or two require some assistance and 

 encouragement, and you must keep an eye 

 on them for some days to ensure that they 

 are not being starved. It is a good practice 

 to test the quality of the milk with a piece 

 of blue litmus paper. If there is any acidity 

 the paper will be turned red, and in such a 

 case the milk should be thoroughly drawn 

 off, the youngsters being fed artificially tem- 

 porarily. This may be the means of saving 

 puppies that would otherwise waste away 

 and die. If they feel flabby to the touch, 

 and are continually crying, you may suspect 

 the mother's milk, or that the temperature 

 of the kennel is too low. Half a teaspoonful 



of bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in a small 



io8 



