Early spring is far the most favorable season for whelping, since ere the youngsters have reached the weaning they can be put out of doors for a few hours at least on all pleasant days, where they are sure to gain in health, strength and vitality with infinitely greater rapidity than when between walls. Breeders of long experience fully appreciate this fact, also, that where open and pure air and sunshine are denied during the early days of life the future is greatly prejudiced; consequently they have a decided preference for those brood animals that come in use during the first three or four months of the year. And where the rule, fixed with some, to mate only in this period is observed, the puppies not only do not require such extreme care and attention but thrive infinitely better, while being far on the road to maturity they are well fortified against cold weather before it sets in.

If warm, clean and well-ventilated quarters are provided it is, of course, possible to rear winter puppies, yet even in the presence of these conditions they scarcely ever do as well and develop into as hardy specimens as those much beyond walls; and it can safely be accepted that the exceptions are seldom met with among the largest and heaviest varieties, which are ever likely to prove flat failures unless under the most healthful influences from the very first.

In the fact that for several days they are very feeble and extremely sensitive to cold appears one of the first great dangers encountered by puppies born in inclement seasons; hence the advice in the foregoing chapter, that during the whelping the temperature of the room be about 80° Fahr. And this degree should be maintained until the little ones - very wet when they come into the world have thoroughly dried and gained measurably in vitality. Then the temperature may be allowed to fall to 75 °, where it should stand until the following day. After that, if the puppies are vigorous they ought to be able to bear a temperature of 700. But no lower degree will be safe for the next four weeks; nor will any very considerable fall be allowable before the fifth or sixth month.

These limits are set for fairly hardy breeds, yet there are some, black-and-tans, Italian greyhounds and other toys, for instance, which require a higher degree of warmth. In fact these varieties can scarcely be too warm during the earliest days of life.

It can safely be accepted that if a puppy becomes chilled during the first two or three days the chances are nearly all against recovery, also that when this happens in a room kept as warm as it ought to be the victim is naturally weakly, and even were warmth restored it would scarcely be possible to rear him.

Doubtless inferring as much from the limitations of the human mother, whose milk secretion is often as long delayed without injury to her child, some who have publicly discussed the subject of breeding have stated that the secretion of milk in the canine mother may be delayed from twenty-four to forty-eight hours and yet be within the normal limits. But the obvious method of reasoning is not justified in this instance, and certainly the assumption is wholly at variance with experience, which has shown that in the majority of cases milk forms in the breasts of the latter before birth; also, that new-born puppies must be put to them as soon as possible, for where they have failed to nurse within the first few hours of life they have very generally died.

While milk is usually present at birth the supply is seldom abundant in the first twenty-four hours, during which period, fortunately, puppies are easily satisfied; but, as a rule, under their vigorous nursing, which acts as a potent stimulant, the quantity soon becomes greater, and afterwards keeps pace with their increasing demands. Cases are not infrequent, however, where the breasts fail to respond as they ought and their supply remains scanty; in which event the mother must be encouraged to drink freely of liquids, as milk, gruel, water, etc., for the purpose of securing an increase. And such efforts must not be delayed until they are clearly demanded, but be made as soon as there appears the barest reason for suspecting that the supply will be insufficient.

This treatment, while of value in some cases, is, however, far more often ineffectual than effectual, no matter how faithfully applied, consequently to rely upon it solely would be extremely hazardous, and in all instances preparations should be promptly made to nourish the puppies artificially in the event their mother fails them.

Unfortunately it is impossible even twenty-four hours after whelping to determine positively whether the quantity of milk will be large or small; but still products of experience, far from being certain, however, enable breeders to form a probable diagnosis.

The outlook may be considered favorable if at this time the breasts are large and a fairly good flow of milk has been established. The chances are also increased somewhat where puppies have been previously born, for in many instances the quantity of milk is notably greater after the second and third litters; and it would seem that in certain mothers it grew more abundant after every whelping, up to the fourth or fifth year.

The kind and amount of food also bear upon this question, - more heavily even than the age, - and in all cases where the mother has not been wisely and generously fed during gestation a scanty supply of milk is the rule, while in exceptions to it, in which there is an abundance of milk after whelping, its early decline in quantity or quality, and generally both, may be confidently expected. Again, the health of the nursing mother is a matter of infinite importance, and the fact need not be urged that if her constitution is poor or she is a victim of harassing and debilitating disease her milk supply can never be abundant; moreover, that what little she has will be vitiated and unwholesome if not absolutely poisonous.