208 SEXUAL GENERATION. 



and show greater watchfulness. The muzzle will be but rarely needed, 

 the noble brutes will seldom bite their owners or attendants, even when 

 greatly excited. 



To securely hold a large bitch, the assistant should grasp the collar 

 firmly with the right hand, drop on the knee of the same side and his left 

 knee project under the abdomen of the bitch, pressing, slightly .backwards 

 against the hind legs. With the left hand he can lightly stroke her coat or 

 move it gently and constantly about her head and neck, to reassure and 

 convince her no harm is to follow. The other assistant should stand on 

 the left side of the bitch, his right knee meeting and pressing firmly 

 against the projecting knee of the other, his left hand grasping the collar 

 and his right her tail. In this position the dog can act without interfer- 

 ence; the bitch, no matter how large, can move but slightly, and above all 

 she cannot lay down after sexual union is complete. The disposition on 

 her part to throw herself on to the floor soon after the dog has firmly 

 united, is an especially unfortunate one. He generally beomes angry, 

 possibly unmanagable, and may bite her, as well as people about them. 

 The method of holding her as advised obviates all danger of this misfor- 

 tune. The union, when they are thus forced to endure concourse, usually 

 remains unbroken for from forty to sixty minutes; from this fact the need 

 of strong assistants can be readily appreciated, 



While considering the conduct and welfare of the bitch the dog should 

 not bo ignored. His efforts if unsuccessful soon fatigue him and if contin- 

 ued, exhaust, for the time, his sexual vitality. He should be aided if the 

 need of assistance is apparent. His purpose can be more easily accom- 

 plished if the hand partially closed, turned with the palm upward, is 

 placed under the vulva, and with the little finger pressed against the 

 parts beneath, the organ be slightly lifted and supported. 



The method of procedure, thus plainly described, is in some instances 

 essential and withal compassionate. Many of the most valuable among 

 the large dogs have been rendered comparatively worthless for breeding 

 purposes, by the unnecessary strain to which they have been subjected. 



The number of visits the dog should make to insure success is a ques- 

 tion in dispute. Doubtless one, at the correct time is sufficient ; if re- 

 peated on the third day, the chances of failure are lessened. 



To attempt in this work a treatise on sexual generation is beyond the 

 purpose. The brief description of its mode of accomplishment, and the 

 few practical hints' imparted in a rambling manner, it is hoped will prove 

 of interest and of some value. The subjects, pregnancy, parturition and 

 nursing, are of great importance. Of them, in the near future, in another 

 work," The Breeders' Vademecum," the writer of these pages promises him- 

 self the pleasure of discussing still further the habits and the needs of his 

 friend the Dog. 



