286 REARING. 



EXERCISE. 



Exercise is necessary at all ages, but the fully-developed dog 

 may be confined for some little time without permanent injury, 

 the formation of his feet and the texture of his bones and muscles 

 being then finally settled. On the other hand, the puppy will 

 grow according to the demands made upon his mechanism, and 

 if the muscles are left idle they do not enlarge ; while the feet 

 remain thin and weak, with the tendons and ligaments relaxed, so 

 that they spread out like a human hand. Growing puppies should 

 be provided with an area sufficiently large for them to play in, 

 according to their size, and under cover up to the end of the third 

 month ; after which, if they have a- sheltered sleeping-place to run 

 into, they will generally avoid heavy rain. Young puppies play 

 sufficiently in a loose box or similar enclosure ; but, after the time 

 specified above, they' must either have their entire liberty, or be 

 allowed the run of a large space, the alternative being bad feet, 

 defective development, and weak joints. 



HOME REARING VERSUS WALKING. 



When one or two puppies only are to be reared, they may be 

 readily brought up at home, excepting in towns or other confined 

 situations' where due liberty and a proper amount of sun and 

 air cannot be obtained. But where a larger number are to be 

 reared, as in the case of hounds, greyhounds, pointers and setters, 

 &c, there is a difficulty attending upon numbers, as a dozen or 

 two of puppies about a house are not conducive to the neatness 

 and beauty of the garden ; besides which, the collection together in 

 masses of young dogs is prejudicial to their health.. To avoid this 



