Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/170

150] breeds during the first year, and produces from six to twelve puppies, after a gestation of about nine weeks. Those of a small size bring forth five, four, and sometimes only two. The whelps are generally blind, and cannot open their eyes till the tenth or twelfth day. In the fourth month, they lose some of their teeth, which are soon succeeded by others.

The dog is an animal of quick motion, and remarkable for travelling long journies. He easily follows his master, whether on foot or on horse-back, for a whole day; and, when fatigued, does not sweat, but lolls out his tongue. It is peculiar to dogs, before they lie down, to run about in a circular direction, with a view to discover the most proper situation for rest. They sleep little, frequently starting, and seem to hear with more acuteness, than while awake.

Dogs possess the sense of smelling in a very high degree. They can trace their master by the smell of his feet in a church, or in the streets of a populous city. In a savage state they are of a fierce, cruel, and voracious disposition; but when civilized, and accustomed to live in the society of men, they acquire every endearing quality. Gentle, obedient, submissive, and faithful, they appear to have no other desire than to serve and protect their master.—These qualifications, added to their very great sagacity, justly claim the esteem of mankind. Accordingly, no animal is so much caressed or respected: in short, dogs are so tradable and so much disposed to please, that they assume the very air and temper of the family to which they belong.

With regard to the qualities of dogs, those reared in Britain are generally considered superior to the dogs bred in any foreign climate. Other nations of Europe uniformly acknowledge their superiority, by adopting English terms and names, while they thankfully receive the creatures as presents. It is remarkable, however, that almost every kind of British dogs greatly loses its excellence in foreign countries; and that no art whatever can prevent this degeneracy.

Proper management of dogs.—As these are, at all times, very valuable animals, it is matter of some importance to take care of their health. This depends much on their diet and lodging: the frequent cleaning of their kennels, and giving them fresh straw for their couch, are highly necessary; or, during the summer, deal-shavings may be substituted for straw, as the former will prevent the breeding of fleas. If they be rubbed with chalk, and brushed and combed once or twice a week, they will thrive much better: the chalk will clear their skin from all greasiness, and they will be less liable to the disorder called the mange.

Dogs are of a very hot nature; hence they should always be provided with clean water, that they may drink when thirsty. With respect to food, carrion is by no means proper for them, as it must hurt their sense of smelling, in which their excellence in a great measure consists. Barley-meal, the dross or grossest part of wheaten flour, or both mixed together with broth or skimmed milk, afford very wholesome nourishment.—On account of the sanguine constitution of these animais, the greatest