BREECHING — BREEDING 



Breeching. — The term applied to the tan -coloured 

 hairs which sometimes appear on the thighs of a black- 

 and-tan terrier, and constitute a serious fault. (See Black- 

 and-Tan Terrier.) 



Breeds. — It is unnecessary to give a detailed list of 

 the various varieties of dogs here, as all of the important 

 breeds are dealt with under their respective headings. It 

 may be mentioned, however, that the canine race is 

 divided for the purposes of classification into two cate- 

 gories — the sporting and the non-sporting ; and speaking 

 generally, there is not much objection to be taken to the 

 arrangement, although in some instances the classification 

 might be amended with advantage. 



Breeding. — Most dog-lovers at one time or another 

 develop into breeders, as the temptation to raise a few 

 puppies is too great for them to resist. It may be there- 

 fore suggested, if it is possible so to arrange matters, that 

 the spring is the best time of the year for the brood bitch 

 to visit the stud dog, as the period of gestation being sixty- 

 three days, the puppies then get all the summer to grow 

 strong in ; whereas, if they come into the world in the 

 autumn or winter, their health and development are liable 

 to become affected by the cold. It must be borne in mind, 

 however, that the bitch is not at all times willing to receive 

 the dog, the periods of her doing so being usually at in- 

 tervals of six or four months, but they are irregular. The 

 preliminary symptoms are unmistakable, the organ of sex 

 in the first instance becoming swollen, and this being 

 followed by a discharge tinged with blood. At the end 

 of three or four days the latter will gradually subside, 

 and immediately the discharge ceases is the best time for 

 mating. Of course the bitch is willing to receive the dog 

 before this, but if the dog is kept away until the discharge 

 has ceased better results are likely to be secured. 



As a general rule, it is unwise to mate two old animals ; 



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