CHOICE OF WHELPS. 277 



among pointers and setters, a dog' with a good deal of white should 

 be. preferred, on the score of greater utility in the field, to another 

 self-coloured puppy which might otherwise be superior in all 

 respects. Hounds and greyhounds are, however, chosen for shape 

 and make, and though this is not -the same at birth as in after-life, 

 still there are certain indications which are not to be despised. 

 Among these the shoulders are more visible than any others, and 

 if on lifting' up a puppy by the tail' he puts his forelegs . back 

 beyond his ears, it may be surmised that there will be no fault 

 in his shape in reference to his fore-quarter, supposing that his 

 legs are well formed and his feet of the proper shape, which last 

 point can hardly be ascertained at this time. The width of the 

 hips, and shape of the chest, with the formation of the loin, may 

 also be conjectured, and the length of the neck is in like measure 

 shadowed forth, though not with the same certainty 1 as the 

 shoulders and ribs. A very fat puppy will look pudgy to an 

 inexperienced eye, so that it is necessary to take this into con- 

 sideration in making the selection ; but fat is a sign of strength, 

 both actual and constitutional, when it is remarkably permanent 

 in one or two among a litter, for it can only be obtained either 

 by depriving the others of their share of milk by main force, or 

 through such constitutional vigour as to thrive better on the" same 

 share of aliment. . The navel should be examined to ascertain if 

 there is any rupture, and this alone is a reason -for deferring the 

 choice till nearly the end of the first week, up to which time there 

 is no means of judging as to its existence. Indeed, if possible, 

 it is always better to rear nearly all till after weaning, either on 

 the dam herself or on a foster-nurse, as at that time the future 

 shape is very manifest, and the consequences of weaning are 

 shown, either in a wasting away of the whole body, or. in a 

 recovery, from its effects in a short time. Sometimes, however, 



