Except in cases of bitches with families or puppies by themselves when two or more meals may be given, it is usual to feed once a day either morning or evening as most convenient, giving each as much as they will eat, with appetite, the oftener varied the better, as I said in the "Introduction."
Unless any difficulty occurs, at the birth of the puppies, when skilled assistance should be obtained, the less the bitch is disturbed the better, but a few days afterwards it is well to examine the litter, and destroy any deformed or faulty ones, and if she has more than she can reasonably bring up, to put some of them under a "foster mother," which are frequently advertised in the papers dealing with dogs and doggy matters, if not procurable in your own district, in such case, it is best not to take away all the foster litter at once, but introduce the new-comers (in the absence of the "Foster,") amongst her remaining puppies, and mix them up, together, so that they will smell alike, and gradually weed out those not desired to be kept.
After three weeks old, the puppies should be given bread and milk, which will help the mothers in their nursing, and about this time if a breed which requires their tails to be shortened, a part may be taken off, with a strong pair of scissors, not too sharp, feeling for a joint, before making the cut, and if carefully done, it causes but momentary pain, and soon heals up.
At six weeks old, they may be removed from the mother, altogether, and if she seems at all troubled with milk, occasionally squeeze out any milk, with the finger and thumb, and dress the teats with vinegar and water, which generally prevents swelling or inflammation, and helps to dry off the milk.
I need not say that the stories sometimes heard about dogs having a "worm under the tongue," which must be taken out, are all humbug, and should not be credited.
Sometimes dogs' claws, when not sufficiently exercised, grow too long and require to be shortened, but this is easily done with a sharp pair of "nippers."
Putting a piece of stone sulphur in the water is no good, as being a mineral, it does not dissolve, and you might just as well put a lump of coal in! But, as I said before, a little "Flowers of Brimstone," according to the size of the animal, either mixed in milk, or with its food, is beneficial and has a cooling effect, and I sometimes add a small quantity of magnesia, with the same object.
Above everything, see that the place where the dog lives is dry, warm in winter and free from draughts.
I think dogs kept in a house as pets are more liable to disease, than those kept in kennels, from often having no regular meals or rules, but constantly being fed by many people, and so getting more than they require of food, but much less of exercise.
Chicken and game bones are not desirable for dogs, as they break into sharp splinters which when swallowed may cause injury to the intestines, but other bones are occasionally very good for dogs, and much enjoyed by them; and when at liberty they will take grass, which, as with cats, is very useful for their digestion.