Puppies usually begin to shed their teeth when they are about six months of age, although some will begin a month or even six weeks earlier, while occasionally one will begin a few weeks later. As this is a critical period, they should be carefully watched and tended, and no pains be spared to keep them in the best possible condition to withstand the effects of the change. While many puppies pass through this period without any apparent trouble, others will be feverish and ailing through the whole time until their permanent teeth are of considerable size.

As a rule, puppies that have been properly cared for, and are healthy and vigorous, will pass safely through this season without much trouble.

It is a very good plan, at this time, to allow them every few days a large, fresh bone to gnaw; this will often remove the teeth as they become loosened. An examination of the mouth, however, should be made every day or two, and any teeth that are loosened enough to be troublesome should be removed, which operation should be performed with the fingers. By using forceps the teeth are very apt to be broken, causing more discomfort to the patient than they would if left entirely alone.

When the permanent teeth are well through the gums, if any of the milk teeth remain they should be extracted, even if they appear to be firm, as they will sometimes remain for a long time; besides being uncomfortable, they may disfigure the mouth, and it is much better to have them out, even if you are obliged to employ a dentist.

When the permanent teeth make their appearance, you should make a very careful and thorough examination, and if the mouth is not level, and there is indication that it is inclined to be overshot or undershot, you must at once take measures to counteract the tendency by pressing upon the teeth, inward or outward, as the case requires, until the evil is counteracted; this should be performed at least once each day, and two or three times will be all the better. This will bring the teeth into proper position, except in very bad cases, and even in those much may be done by careful manipulation to remedy the evil. Moderate pressure, in ordinary cases, will be sufficient, provided it is properly followed up; though in severe cases it will perhaps be necessary to use considerable force, but not enough to cause the animal any suffering.

The teeth of the dog are sometimes in-crusted with tartar,which is generally caused by a foul stomach, the result of improper food or powerful medicine. The deposit should be removed with the point of a penknife blade, taking care neither to injure the teeth by scraping through the enamel, nor to lacerate the gums. After the deposit has been thoroughly cleaned from the teeth, they should be well brushed with an ordinary toothbrush kept well saturated with tincture of myrrh, using at the same time finely powdered charcoal. Dogs that are properly fed will seldom be troubled with tartar. But should your dog be thus afflicted, follow the above directions, and give him occasionally a large bone to gnaw; this will generally keep his teeth perfectly clean. It is important that this matter should be attended to in season, as, if the tartar is allowed to accumulate in a considerable quantity, complications may arise that will prove to be troublesome. Softening of the gums and canker sometimes ensue, and serious disturbance of the digestive organs very frequently.