Some fanciers sell their poorest puppies first and keep their best until the last. This rule does not conflict with that laid down in the foregoing, - never allow bad specimens to go out at any price, - and it can wisely be adhered to in the absence of contract, for in order to make breeding successful in a monetary sense it is necessary to put before the public, at dog shows, unmistakable evidences of the worth of the stock in use. Moreover, puppies of unusual merit gain rapidly in value as age progresses; and as kennels but seldom prove profitable, the breeders, of all others, deserve the happy "windfalls."

As stated, the age at which puppies that have been pre-engaged are generally shipped from the kennels is the eighth week; which is none too early, because in most cases the earlier a puppy is in his new home the better for him and others concerned, since the purchaser, if having but one dog to care for, can give him much better treatment than he would likely receive in his old home; moreover, under ordinary conditions, when alone a puppy thrives far better, has higher health and is much less liable to fall a victim to disease than while with his mates.

This fact deserves to be dwelt upon in the interests of breeders who are often inclined to refuse fair offers and allow their puppies to accumulate that they may be sure of the best among them. Such policy rarely proves otherwise than short-sighted, for with dogs, young or old, as with members of the human family, the nearer they live to each other the greater the danger of sickness; and where four, five or more are quartered together, the death rate, as in tenement houses, must inevitably be higher than where there is less crowding. Again, strangely perhaps, even at the same prices oftentimes puppies of average merit are in greater demand when two or three months old than others twice this age. Then there is the cost of keeping to be considered, and this is by no means a trifling item. Finally, specimens of exceeding merit and considerable value are "few and far between," and one might breed a long time even with the best of stock before he materialized a wonder. And even such happy result might bring him greater gain in the hands of another.

Hence it is advisable for breeders to dispose of the most of their young stock as speedily as possible, and even let their choicest go when good prices are offered, unless of course they are sure winners of the blue, in which event the question of selling should be considered long and well.

A word further as to shipping puppies. It is not becoming a breeder to use store boxes and other two-penny, unsightly and uncomfortable affairs unless they are properly built over; and really it is more economical, and far more to his credit, to have crates made for him, costing as they do but a mere trifle. Or if his puppies are of large size he will do well to provide himself with wicker hampers; and those used in importing seltzer and other mineral waters will often do nicely. With a piece of carpeting in the bottom and a little straw over it, one of these is ready for a puppy, and besides being of light weight, ample in size, capable of good ventilation and yet affording protection from draughts, it cannot be packed too closely with other baggage on account of its barrel-like shape.

In a suitable crate - made as light-weight as possible always - to which is attached a feeding-pan, and ample directions as to the hours of feeding and the quantity to be given at each meal, a puppy barely eight weeks old ought to make several days' journey and reach his destination in good condition.

There are so many absurd notions about teething the subject is deserving of at least brief consideration here.

As the permanent teeth are developed they cause absorption in the roots of the first and temporary teeth, which eventually become loose, and when so they have fulfilled their purpose and can properly be extracted. Yet instruments ought not to be used on them except in rare cases, for when it is time for them to come out they can be easily removed by firm pressure to one side with the thumb or forefinger.

Some writers have urged extraction of old teeth before they have loosened in all cases where they appear likely to displace the new, thinking thereby to prevent irregularity in the permanent. But this is not advisable, because instead of obviating threatened deformity it is quite sure to increase the danger of it, for if an old tooth is extracted before the new one is well formed and pushing it out, the teeth at the sides of it will encroach upon the vacant space, and finally when the new one tries to come through it finds its rightful way difficult or blocked, and pushes through where it can do so the most easily, but outside of the line of the other teeth.

Consequently, as a rule, only when the old teeth are loosened and must soon fall out if left to themselves should they be removed.

As for the notion that convulsions or other serious results are caused by swallowing teeth, that is all moonshine, for the tooth of a puppy is not at all likely to meet with any difficulty or excite any disturbance in its transit through the body.

There remain to be considered docking and the removal of dew-claws, and as the writer is without experience in either he has turned to his friend, H. Clay Glover, D.V.S., of New York, who has kindly responded with the following brief discussion: -

The practice of docking, which has been in vogue many years, does not in any way add to the utility of the dog, and the only object of it is improvement in the appearance of the animal. The breeds generally subjected to the operation are cocker, clumber and field spaniels, all varieties of toy spaniels, airedale, Welsh, Irish and fox terriers, and a few other breeds, including the bob-tail sheep dog, which is not, as some suppose, generally born without full length of tail, although occasional instances of its being wanting very likely occur.

An old practice was that of removing two, three or more joints from the tails of pointers and setters, the reason advanced being that they were less liable to keep the ends sore from whipping in the brush. But this has fortunately fallen into disuse.

Docking is best done about the tenth day after birth, as the bone is then scarcely more than cartilage, and only trifling hemorrhage results. The operation consists in simply removing as much of the tail as desired, and by the means of very blunt scissors, that the tendons may be drawn out - not severed as would be the case were a sharp instrument employed. And drawing the tendons leads to a lower carriage of the tail, which is desirable, as most of the short-tail kind are inclined to carry this appendage too high.

In docking mature animals and a nice finish is desired, an incision should be made obliquely on both sides of the tail, which should then be unjointed, the lateral sacral artery taken up and the edges of the flaps drawn and stitched together. After which the patient should be muzzled to prevent his disturbing the stitches. While operating, the tail should be very tightly ligated at the base to obviate hemorrhage. In dressing the wound the ordinary antiseptic precautions should be taken, as after all operations.

Dew-claws are simply supplementary toes on the insides of the hind legs, slightly above the feet. There was a time when some value was attached to them in St. Bernards by authorities and breeders, it being held that they were of assistance to these animals and prevented their breaking through the snow. They were also considered an evidence of good breeding. Yet they are of no possible benefit to the dog; in fact they are a detriment, liable as they are to become torn and sore from contact with ice, briers or sharp grass. Moreover, these claws are singularly inclined to cut into the flesh, since not being in use like the other claws they are not worn down.

Dew-claws appearing in other than St. Bernards are regarded with suspicion by some as evidence of impure breeding. But this is a mistaken notion, for they may appear on any breed of dogs, even of the bluest blood. And in my opinion they should be removed in all instances. As for double dew-claws, I consider them not only useless but hideous monstrosities, which tend to turn the feet out and the hocks in - or at least they appear to do this in large breeds. Furthermore, the legs have a much cleaner and more trim look without them.

The removal of dew-claws should be effected shortly after weaning and the puppies have been separated from their mother, who might disturb or tear off the bandages. If merely fastened to the skin they may be clipped with sharp scissors; and this instrument will answer every purpose even when they are attached to tendons. But when fixed to the canon - metatarsal bone - it will be necessary to dissect them from the bone; in doing which the operator should avoid the internal saphenous vein. And were this accidentally cut it should be ligated.

If the wound is of sufficient importance the edges should be stitched together and a bandage applied; and the same should be kept on until healing has occurred, which usually requires from seven to ten days. Some do not bandage after the operation, but it should be the rule, for the purpose of keeping the wound clean and its edges together. A rubber ligature around the leg above the hock will generally be advisable while operating in difficult cases.