THE BULLDOG 395 



to select a mate for one's bitch simply because the dog belongs to 

 a friend or lives in the immediate neighbourhood, for it is probable 

 that he will not suit the bitch at all, and the resulting puppies will 

 prove wasters. 



For information as to the care and treatment of the bitch in 

 whelp a perusal of " Popular Dog Keeping is recommended.* 



Bull bitches are notoriously poor mothers, and very few are 

 capable of rearing all their own puppies, so that the services of a 

 foster-mother should be secured in anticipation of the birth of the 

 puppies. The foster may be a half-bred Terrier, Collie, or some 



FIG. 91. BULLDOG KATAPULT. 



similar dog, and she should be due to whelp a couple or three days 

 before the Bull bitch. It matters little of what breed she is, so long 

 as she is clean, healthy, and has an abundant supply of milk, and 

 as cross-bred bitches generally prove the best mothers, one should 

 be bought or hired for the purpose. 



The puppies should be left with the dam or foster for six 

 weeks, but during the last two weeks of this period the mother's 

 milk should be supplemented with some light and suitable food, 

 which can be given as soon as the puppies have learned to lap, 



* "Popular Dog Keeping," by J. Maxtee (London : L. Upcott Gill). 



