22 BRITISH DOGS 



what respects the dog is likely to suit the bitch. In speaking of 

 examining a pedigree, it is not to be supposed that merely looking 

 at the names of a number of Mastiffs on paper will be of any 

 assistance to a breeder unless he has a knowledge of the dogs 

 themselves. The mere fact of a dog and his ancestors having 

 been prize-winners is no guide to any one as to whether he will suit 

 the bitch that it is proposed to mate with him. The breeder must 

 ascertain the good qualities of the dog and his ancestors as well as 

 their faults. He will then be in a position to know whether by 

 using a certain dog he is likely to correct the faults that may be 

 apparent in his bitch, or which have been noticeable in her ancestors, 

 and which, although the bitch herself may not show them, are likely 

 to reappear in her progeny. If it is desired to secure any particular 

 quality, it is necessary in some cases to resort to in-breeding ; but 

 in doing so great judgment is required, and it is better to avoid 

 it if the same results can be obtained in other ways. The general 

 opinion is that in-breeding tends to decrease size, and that dogs 

 and bitches so -bred are less reliable breeders. That the latter 

 is the case admits of very little doubt; but it is, in the writer's 

 opinion somewhat questionable whether the former is necessarily 

 the case, provided the animals used are of a large strain, and that 

 in-breeding is resorted to within certain limits only. 



The bitch should be fed twice a day after she has visited the 

 dog, and have regular exercise up to the time she is due to whelp. 

 It is desirable to have foster-mothers ready to rear the puppies, 

 for although many Mastiffs are excellent mothers, it not infrequently 

 happens that they are clumsy, and many a time a breeder is grievously 

 disappointed at finding that the best puppies in the litter have been 

 killed by the dam laying on them. The puppies should be in- 

 duced to take a little milk thickened with arrowroot as soon as 

 they are able to lap. If goat's milk is to be obtained, it is far 

 preferable to that of the cow, but it is much too expensive to 

 purchase. It is, however, well worth the breeder's while to keep 

 a goat on the premises, if he has the convenience for doing so. 

 It has been asserted that puppies reared on goat's milk will be 

 free from worms, but this is not by any means invariably the 

 case. A hornless goat should be selected, if possible, as there is 

 far less risk of her injuring the puppies if she is allowed to be 

 about with them. 



The puppies should be fed frequently, at regular intervals, not 

 more being given to them at a time than they will readily eat up. 

 A small quantity of cod liver oil mixed with the food may be given 

 with advantage. Puppies should have their liberty, and not be 

 chained up on any account, although it is desirable to accustom them 

 to a collar and chain when young, as it saves much trouble later on. 

 They should not be pampered, but receive good, nourishing food 



