The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-05-27

The puppy, when just weaned, should
be fed four, five, or even six times
a day, and from two months to four
months of age, four times; after that
three times, to the age of nine to twelve
smaller varieties reaching maturity
soonest; after that twice a day is
enough, full meal being given each
time, until maturity is reached. Reg
ularity as to time is important in feed
ing, both because it assists health and
is a considerable help in intoxicating
orderly and clearly habits. Minute
calculations have been made as to the
amount of food required by a dog,
with the result of conflicting statements
OF opinion, ranging from one-twentieth
to one-twelfth of his own weight per
day, and it is often stated in this form -
one ounce of food for every pound
the dog weighs. Experience convinces
me that in the matter of quantity OF
food the scales are better dispensed
with, using instead the dogs appetite
as the correct measure; i therefore al
ways advise that dog should have as
much at meal as he will eat freely,
and that when he stops to turn it over
and pick out bits here and there, the
dish should be removed.
The composition and quality OF food
is the next point claiming consider
alton. In reference to the first point,
i think it necessary to refer to theories
propounded by DIR. Billings, veterinary
surgeon, of Boston, Mass, in two lect-
ures delivered in that city, and repro
duced with apparent approval by that
section of the American press which
specially deals with canine matters. L
have not the text before me, so cannot
quote with verbal accuracy; but, brief
ly stated, DIR. Billings, founding his
argument on the admitted fact that the
dog is carnivogous animal, declared
he should be fed entirely on flesh, and
even went so far as TO say that farina-
ceous food was poison to the dog. The
English practice for centuries
the time of that excellent huntsman
and diseourser on dogs and their treat
ment, Edmund de Langley, of the
early part of the fourteenth century, con-
firmed by such practical writers as Tur-
berville and Gervase Markham, of the
sixteenth, Cox, Jacobs, and others, of
JuO StNcubttubl, anu MI VIC lldSlCIS VI
hounds, huntsmen, game-keepers, ken
mel men, and every other person who
has kept dog since-is dead against
DIR. Billings theory, which, indeed,
should rather be named "crotchet."
For dogs there is no more wholesome
food than the mixed scraps from the
table, consisting of meat, bones. bread,
and vegetables, and when there are
more dogs kept than there are bones
and scraps for, the broken victuals
should be taken as the standard of the
component parts of that which has to-
be further provided.
In regard to pet dogs kept by ladies,
the great mistake often made is to
overfeed and feed too richly. 1t is
mistaken kindness to feed dogs on rich.
fat-producing diet; and to give sugar
and sweet cakes and buildings is to
certainly destroy the powers of the di
gestive and assimilative organs; and
anything that produces excessive fat
hess will bring on asthma, to which
disease pugs and other short-faced pets
are especially prone. Occasionally we
meet with, in all breeds, dog that is
dainty feeder. These have to be
coaxed to eat, little at time being
given, and tonic of iron and quinine
with gentian given daily for a week or
two at time.-Htige Dalziel, IN Har-
pel's Magazine.