THE DOG. 
623 
In about two weeks after the birth of her puppies, that she may have an hour 
or two of rest daily from their growing demands aud sprouting teeth. She 
may be allowed to go free. 
CARE OF WHELPS. 
The puppies should be carefully examined for lice and other parasites aa 
toon as the bitch will allow you to handle them. If any are discovered the 
•whelps should be washed with a lukewarm decoction of Quassia chips or 
Persian insect powder carefully rubbed into their coat. The bed or nest must 
now be changed, new hay or straw being furnished and sprinkled with the 
insect powder. Nothing troubles and takes away from the growth of puppies 
more than lice and fleas. Their quarters must be roomy that they may be 
able to run about and romp with one another, and thus develop healthy bone 
and muscle. At about three to four weeks they may b<j taught to lap one- 
third water and two-thirds cow’s milk preparatory to weaning. 
* 
WEANING AND FEEDING. 
At five or six weeks the puppies may be safely weaned. They have already 
learned to lap. Stronger food can now be furnished, the milk given pure, 
mixed with crumbled bread, or tWMioiled oatmeal. Feeding time should be 
regular and at stated hours three times a day, and the dish, trough or vessel 
containing the food taken away as soon as the youngsters have filled them- 
selves. After a time food twice a day will be sufficient; say morning and 
Bight. As the puppies become larger a bone containing some meat may be 
given them ; too much flesh is injurious. A sheep’s head thoroughly boiled is 
eapital now and then for them to pick at. It is of the greatest importance that 
the whole litter should be allowed abundance of exercise, and liberty be given 
them at stated times during the day. 'Pups deprived of exercise are apt to 
have the rickets or enlarged joints, or bo out at the elbows. 
TRAINING OF POINTERS AND SETTERS. 
In choosing a puppy from a litter of w'ell-bred setters or pointers it becomes 
a difficult task which to determine upon. If possible wait until they have 
attained the age of four or five months, by which time they have become 
somewhat developed. Sit down where you can see them all together, and 
notice which is the most active and intelligent. The overgrown mother’s pet, 
generally the strongest of all, is frequently lazy, and sleepy, and shows but 
half the spryncss of his smaller brother or sister. Select a puppy with a good 
brain development, such a characteristic holds good with the canine as well as 
the human race. We have never seen a bad dog with a good head and 
face. 
