Puppies born during the late autumn and winter months are more trouble to rear than those whelped in the spring or summer. The changeable weather which is experienced in most parts tends to check their growth and make them more prone to develop disease than under more favorable circumstances. Could weeks of hard, dry frost be insured, then the rearing of puppies would be an easy matter, even to the novice, for however delicate the breed, it is rarely they will not thrive under such invigorating conditions as the sharp, crisp air of a bright frosty day which is occasionally experienced in mid-Winter. Puppies, like all animals and vegetable creation, will expand to the sun's rays, cold though the air may be, and feel it is a joy to live.

But even under the most unfavorable conditions, such as were experienced during November and December of last year, it is quite possible to rear a large majority of the puppies, provided common sense is brought to bear and the dam is well nurtured and nourished before and after whelping. For the first few weeks of their existence the puppies themselves require little attention beyond seeting that they all, as far as possible, get the same amount of food, e. g., that the stronger do not push the weaker away from the dam. When the latter is the case, if the puppies are valuable, it is advisable to have a good foster mother to assist in rearing the weaker.

One cause of failure in the rearing of autumn and winter puppies is that they are pampered too much, even very often in the case of the larger and hardy breeds, such as St. Bernards, Retrievers, etc. There is a succession of rainy days, the ground becomes wet and sodden, consequently the puppies are shut up in a kennel run, an outhouse, stable, barn, or what-not, where very little light or air can reach them, with the result that they all lie huddled up together for warmth, there being very little natural warmth in their poor little bodies; they are miserable and too dejected to play and romp about. The dam, in her mistaken kindness, en courages them in this lethargic state, because the door is kept fast closed against her, and she cannot have her liberty when and how she pleases.

Even when the rain ceases and for a few hours the elements are propitious, advantage is not taken of the smile of the gods that be, and because the ground is wet and cold it is thought these poor little shivering puppies must not run out and get their little (or big) paws wet, they must still be kept in till the ground has, at least, some semblance of dryness. Now, if advantage were taken of every bit of dry weather and the puppies allowed a run out to exercise, even if only for half an hour, they would return to their kennel refreshed, their blood would course through their veins more naturally, they would play and scramble about and eat their food with added zest.

When the sun, however, puts forth his rays, if the puppies had some straw, coarse shavings, or dry bracken (which is often obtainable in the country) laid down in a corner of a yard or garden, they could be left there for several hours, or at least during the warmest part of the day, say from 11:30 to 2:30, and if a few big bones were given them they would keep on the move and there need be no fear of colds. Light and air are absolutely necessary to all creation, and puppies, like men, cannot thrive without either; therefore if they are to be successfully reared at all times of the year they must have a plentiful supply of both, which form as large a part of their well-being as food.