OF BREEDING GENERALLY 641 



with the furor uterinus, is at the age of twelve months ; 

 but there are many instances where it is felt at eight, 

 and it generally lasts about eighteen days. For the 

 first four or five days she will not receive the embraces 

 of the male, but keeps up a sportive dalliance with 

 him ; after which unbounded vent is given to her 

 desires, and even with a variety of males ; from the 

 termination of which period, she is gravid nine weeks 

 or sixty-three days, and produces from five to twelve 

 puppies, according to her size. 



Breeders are in the habit of restraining the desire 

 of the female ; and in general only allow her to be 

 warded two or three times, which proves as effectual 

 as the most unrestrained commerce. Indeed, it has 

 been found, that from six to eight puppies have been 

 the fruits of one coitus, and, in some rare instances, so 

 many as eleven. 



Albertus mentions that he saw a mastiff bitch, 

 which brought forth at three litters fifty whelps, viz. : 

 nineteen at the first, eighteen at the second, and 

 thirteen at the third litter. Some females have been 

 known to produce puppies three times a year ; but this 

 generally has the effect of destroying their constitution. 

 Those, therefore, who have a regard for their dogs, 

 and wish to preserve a healthy race, will never allow 

 the female to produce oftener than once a year. 



It need hardly be remarked, that if it is wished to 

 preserve a breed of dogs uncontaminated, all inter- 

 course with those of different races must be strictly 

 guarded against. The animals from which a breed is 

 to be taken should be as perfect in their form as 

 possible, as it would be in vain to expect handsome 

 puppies from an ill-made sire and dam ; although it 

 not unfrequently happens, that in the case of one of 

 the parents being cross in its make, an elegant progeny 



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