A nearer adjustment than this would scarcely be possible without duly considering the influence of existing conditions. For instance, if five or six puppies were together it would not be necessary to keep the quarters quite as warm as it would be were they occupied by only one or two. Some puppies are more playful than others, and the active require less artificial heat than the sluggish. The coat makes a very great difference also, and mani festly a short-haired puppy cannot bear a low temperature as well as one which has long and thick hair. Quarters accessible to the sun's rays for several hours daily are comfortable with less heat than those to which they are denied or only admitted for a short time. Finally, there is a decided difference in sleeping quarters and bedding materials.

Weighing the matter carefully, one ought not to be in doubt as to the degree of warmth required by his puppies, but if so, let him give the little ones the benefit of it and add five or ten degrees to his estimate, remembering always that they can bear quite a high degree with benefit, whereas a low degree will positively ruin them. Let him accept, also, that if puppies are put into too cold a place their lives will be spent in sleeping, huddled up to each other trying to keep warm, whereas if they are in a warm place they are far more likely to be up and on the move - the importance of which condition has been duly emphasized in the discussions on feeding.

But the responsibility bearing in this direction does not, by any means, cease with the fifth or sixth month, for even although puppies are then fairly well able to resist cold when applied for short intervals, they must inevitably suffer from prolonged exposures; and, besides, they still imperatively need the vitality-giving influence of heat. Hence the conclusion that their quarters should be kept comfortably warm even up to the age of maturity.

There are doubtless some breeding only in a small way who are so situated that it would be simply impossible for them to provide heated quarters for their puppies after they have been weaned, although previous to that time they might give them a place by the kitchen fire. Such being the case they should obtain a packing case made of matched boards, cut a hole in it large enough merely for the puppies, and curtain the same with a piece of carpeting.

But this packing case must be a very large one even if the puppies are of small size. For instance, were they cockers and two or three in number, its dimensions should not be less than three feet each way; and on every side, at the uppermost parts, there should be at least two holes, an inch in diameter, for the purpose of ventilation; while for larger breeds a corresponding increase in the size of the box and openings for ventilation is, of course, demanded.

Properly there should be nothing over a puppy's head except the roof of his kennel; and especially ruinous are the low boxes which some breeders resort to, for the air in them must be always bad; and besides his health being impoverished in one of these, the puppy, feeling there is something over his head and rubbing or bumping against it a few times, gets into the habit of crouching, and instead of standing straight he goes wrong in front with a rapidity that the novice could scarcely credit. Again, if the puppies are long-coated, there are many of them, and their box is small it will likely prove much too warm for some of them, especially the strongest, which are sure to be at the bottom of the nest, and covered by the others all huddling for warmth - they often sweat freely, and in consequence sometimes lose much of their hair. Such loss from this cause is not a common one, of course, but it has been noted, and suggests the advisability of dividing up all large litters.

In a word, never use sleeping-boxes excepting when puppies can in no other way be kept warm, for, as stated, at best they are ruinous. And really he who cannot keep his puppies comfortably warm without boxing ought not to attempt to breed them.

Beyond keeping them warm and as free as possible from vermin, and their quarters clean, well lighted and ventilated, healthy puppies require but little of the caretakers up to time of weaning. These duties, however, must be faithfully met; and not the least important is that of lighting. Although puppies are not, like plants, absolutely dependent for their growth upon the rays of the sun, they share with all nature its benign influence, and when kept constantly in places from which it is shut out they never thrive as they ought, and are prone to diseases that go hand in hand with debility. Therefore, by all means let the little ones have their daily "sun-bath;" and the longer it lasts the better.

In the way of vermin, fleas and lice are the most constant intruders during earliest puppyhood, and while the latter are at all times easily disposed of, in warm weather, certainly, perfect immunity from the former, no matter the protective means applied, must often be impossible. However, temporary relief at least from these most resistant of nuisances can be obtained by energetic treatment, which should be administered as follows: -

As soon as the mother and puppies are found to be infested with fleas they should be removed from their quarters, which, after the bedding has been taken out and burned, should be thoroughly cleaned. The weather being very warm or the heating arrangements such as will insure their drying quickly, the floors and walls should be liberally sprinkled or sponged with the tincture of flea powder or the crude carbolic acid solution prepared as advised in the chapter devoted to "Troublesome Insects." If, however, speedy drying is for any reason out of the question a faithful sweeping must suffice in the way of cleaning; after which Persian insect powder - in the dry form - should be freely applied to the ceiling, walls and floors, and thrown into every crack and cranny.