THE ST. BERNARD. 569 



allowed to serve a bitch until he has reached the age of 

 two years, by which time he will have fully matured. The 

 best season of the year for breeding is in the spring and 

 summer, as the young produced at this season get more 

 outdoor exercise, which tends so much to strengthen the 

 muscles and development generally. Winter puppies fre- 

 quently become chilled, and hence their growth is slow, 

 they seldom reaching the stature of their more fortunate 

 brothers. Another argument for spring and summer pup- 

 pies is that these can compete at the following winter shows 

 in the puppy classes, for by that time they are sufficiently 

 matured to stand the excitement incident to such scenes. 



The bitch shows pretty plainly when she is about to 

 come in heat, as she becomes restless, feverish, and exceed- 

 ingly affectionate in her disposition. She usually has a 

 bloody discharge from the vulva for nine days, and from 

 three to five days after the cessation of this discharge 

 is considered the best time to take her to the dog, 

 although some bitches will refuse to have any connection 

 whatever with a dog later than the third day; so, to be on 

 the safe side, it is well to lose no time. Bitches, as a rule, 

 come in season twice a year, at pretty regular intervals, but 

 we have known of some that produced three litters in two 

 years; this, kowever, is unusual. 



When a bitch misses, her next season is very apt to be 

 one month earlier than if she had produced her litter and 

 weaned them. As soon as she is bred she should be put in a 

 secure place, as she will exercise great cunning in her 

 efforts to escape and have intercourse with any animal she 

 should chance to meet. 



During the earlier period of her pregnancy, especially, she 

 should be in sight, if possible, of a typical dog, as the ante- 

 natal impressions are often very pronounced. She should 

 also be kept apart from others not in a similar condition; 

 and while she should get ample exercise, it must never be 

 violent in any sense. Never allow her to jump or run to 

 any extent, or to become alarmed. Toward the latter part 

 of her time, when it has been clearly ascertained that she 



