DOGS BREEDING AT PUBERTY. 475 



development of the new genus which make their appearance by 

 generation. 



Life is but a continuation of that development which began 

 with the impregnation of the ova within the maternal body pass- 

 ing through progressive stages, until a certain period or acme is 

 reached, where it is marked by a corresponding retrocession, end- 

 ing eventually in decay and death. 



During the early life of the young dog, the skeleton is incom- 

 plete, the nervous system imperfect, and the muscular and ali- 

 mentary organization lacking in many of the attributes necessary 

 to 2l perfect animal. At the age of puberty, these have to a great 

 extent assumed the outlines, but lack the necessary development, 

 which is assured only at adult age. Ossification is never complete 

 in the canine race until after the twentieth month, and seldom 

 before the twenty-fourth. The relative development according to 

 sex is twenty-four months in the female, and thirty-four in the male. 



The signs of puberty in the bitch are not an indication that she 

 is prepared to undergo the pangs of maternity, or that she is im- 

 bued with the necessary qualities for the successful propagation 

 of her species. It is merely proof that the organs of reproduction 

 have entered upon the preparatory stage which is to result in per- 

 fect development. It indicates that the period of infancy has 

 expired and adolescence supervened. 



Under the forcing system so prevalent with the mania for im- 

 ported dogs, the constant demand for blood is fulfilled to the 

 sacrifice — in a great extent — of the physical attributes so essential 

 to perfect animals. Many puppies are found to have reached 

 puberty at the age of ten or twelve months when the period 

 should not develop itself, at the very earliest calculation, before the 

 sixty-fourth week. This may be attributed in part to improper, 

 perhaps, to put it fairly, over care. Confinement in illy ven- 

 tilated kennels, hot stifling atmosphere, constant inhalation of the 

 heated and noxious vapors of the stable, association with young 

 animals who have already reached or just past the climactic period, 

 high feeding or highly seasoned food, and nursing the parent when 

 again in heat, as sometimes happens ; all these have more or less 

 influence in forcing the dgj/r^w upon the young bitch prematurely.* 



* We are aware that the argument will be used, that dogs in feree natures 



