Breeding. 465 



nature of the dog, the readiness with which those breeds, the most 

 widely different in physical features, mate with each other, and the 

 great facility with which varieties can be altered or modified, give a wide 

 scope for the production of new varieties. 



This is specially the case in toy dogs ; and I am of opinion that 

 breeders are not sufficiently speculative in this direction, for I am 

 convinced any intelligent man following the principles established, and 

 setting out with a definite purpose, would find his pursuit as successful 

 as interesting and profitable. To give one instance only, why should we 

 not have as many various coloured Pomeranians as we have Italian grey-' 

 hounds ? Some of the handsomest Pomeranians I ever saw were a deep 

 reddish fawn. A few years of judicious breeding would, I am convinced, 

 establish a variety of any desired hue. 



Age at which to Breed. House dogs and others leading a very artificial 

 life often have the functions of reproduction developed at an early age. 

 I had a terrier that, from inattention to the fact that she was in heat was 

 not secluded, was the mother of four pups before she was nine months 

 old. As a rule, the smaller breeds mature earlier, and are in season at an 

 earlier age than the larger breeds, and in all breeds there are individual 

 differences in this respect, but most bitches are in season once before 

 they have attained their full size, and they should in such case be 

 invariably put by. It must be evident to all that, whilst her own frame 

 is still in process of being built up and matured, she is not in the best 

 position to nurture whelps. 



During the first oestrum which appears after the bitch is full grown, if 

 the season of the year is suitable, she may be bred from if in perfect 

 health ; if she is not, breeding is better postponed. 



It should also be known, too, that the selected dog is in health and free 

 from mange or other skin affection of a contagious nature ; also that on 

 neither side is there hereditary disease, which, although not shown in the 

 dogs themselves, is likely to be developed in their offspring. 



Large dogs, such as mastiffs, St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, otter 

 hounds, deerhounds, greyhounds, &c., should not be bred from under two 

 years of age, and even in small breeds it is better they should be almost, 

 or quite, eighteen months old. 



Although oestrum does in many cases come on twice a year, the breed- 

 ing and rearing of two litters a year, or even of three in two years, is 



