REMOVAL OF DEW-CLAWS, ETC. 281 



stall-post, so as to prevent the puppies getting among the horses. 

 In either case there is an amount of artificial heat, which con- 

 duces to the growth of the puppies, and allows them to be reared 

 sufficiently strong to bear auy cold afterwards with impunity. 

 If the 'Weather is not cold, an ordinary horse-box is the best place 

 which can be chosen, fixing the boarded stage at a distance from 

 the door, and either sanding or slightly littering the brick floor, 

 according to the weather ; but the latter is to be preferred, ex- 

 cepting in a very hot summer. In these boxes puppies take a vast 

 -amount of exercise, which they require for health, and to give 

 that appetite without which sufficient food for growth is not 

 taken, 



REMOVAL OF DEW-CLAWS, ETC. 



Before weaning, any cropping which is intended, whether of 

 the dew-claw -or tail, should be practised, but the ears should be 

 left alone till the third or fourth month, as they are not suffi- 

 ciently developed before. If, however, the operator does not 

 understand his business thoroughly, it is better to leave the 

 tatter organs alone, till a later period, as otherwise the proper 

 quantity may not be cropped or rounded, as the case may be. 

 Indeed, even the most skilful hand will hardly ever manage either 

 the one or the other well before the fifth month ; and in hounds 

 it is usual to defer it till they are nearly full grown, as they often 

 lose a considerable quantity of blood, which interferes with their 

 growth. But the tail and dew-claws may always be best done, 

 and with least pain, while with the dam; besides which, her 

 tongue serves to heal the wound better than that of the young 

 puppy, who has hardly learnt to use it. Eegular dog-fanciers 

 bite off the tail, but a pair of scissors, answers equally well; and 



