BREEDING AND RAISING 38 



one with wide and strong loins and good 

 length of flank. Too much exercise cannot be 

 given during this period, and hunting should 

 be kept up at least four weeks after service. 

 After four weeks, regular yard and road exer- 

 cise should be given, though care should be 

 taken in exercising to prevent colds. From 

 now on one cannot be too careful in adminis- 

 tering strong purgative medicines or applying 

 any soaps, washes, or strong remedies for 

 mange or vermin. The period of gestation is 

 sixty-three days and seldom varies except 

 through accident. 



It is safe to count on the first service, if per- 

 formed in the latter rather than the first period 

 of the heat. The bitch will have a capricious 

 appetite at this time and should be well sup- 

 plied with a variety of food. A bitch that is 

 known to be rough and careless toward her 

 pups should not be given a whelping box. A 

 small house with a dry dirt floor is best. In 

 this hollow out a nest several days in advance, 

 that she may become accustomed to it. The 

 circular form of nest will prevent her lying or 

 stepping upon the pups, as they will always 

 gravitate toward the center. The antiseptic 

 qualities of the dry earth are too well known 

 to need comment. 



The bitch's disposition changes very mate- 



