BREEDING I " r » ^ i r - 229 



free from all taint of disease, but she must be strong and in good condition 

 about the time of oestrum, or heat. 



If you have in any way neglected her, or if, through circumstances 

 over which you have probably had no control, she has fallen off a bit, begin 

 to get her in form three months before the time of her coming on. It will 

 pay you to do so. 



The following as to giving the bitch some medicine to open her bowels 

 I found in Field and Fancy, but who written by I do not know: 



"Some there are who deem it wrong to give a mild cathartic Imme- 

 diately before the time of whelping. A violent purge is certainly to be de- 

 precated, but it is the firm opinion of the writer that the bitch is mater- 

 ially helped and benefited by a little opening medicine. At any rate, that 

 course is invariably followed by the most successful accouchers among 

 women, and it must be obvious to the merest novice that when the system 

 is greatly upset, or about to undergo a severe ordeal, the condition of the 

 stomach and bowels is of the highest importance. A moderate dos«J of 

 castor oil, say a dessertspoonful for a 30-lb. dog, or even some sweet olive 

 oil, will do all that is required without inducing excessive straining. Such 

 has been my custom for a good many years, and events have proved its 

 value." 



My plan is to watch the passages of bitch just before she whelps, and 

 if she is constipated, to then give her a mild dose of castor and olive oil. 



I believe when a bitch is just ready, that one service is sufficient, and 

 rarely ever allow my own to be served but once, but to -make assurance 

 doubly sure, a second service after an interval of twenty-four- hours, would 

 be advisable. If you are sending her away to some kennel to be bred, ship 

 her not later than the eighth day. 



It would be as well if you could go with your favorite instead of send- 

 ing her, but most, if not all, good breeders are not only gentlemen, but lovers 

 of dogs and will take the greatest care of the bitch. 



The length of time of a bitch being in season is from fifteen to twenty 

 days as a rule, but there are exceptions to this. If a bitch is served late in 

 season, the service generally prolongs the season or period in which she 

 would willingly accept the dog. A very fat bitch should never be bred, 

 as in so doing you are liable to lose not only the pups, but the bitch her- 

 self. After the mating, the bitch should be kept secluded (no food or water 

 having boen given her directly before), nor any food for six hours after. 



Now, for the next two months the bitch must require every attention. 

 For safety's sake she should be kept away from her old canine friends for 

 about a week. She must not, however, be denied exercise, and. all through- 

 out the time she is carrying her puppies she must have plenty of exercise and 

 fresh air. But it must not be of too boisterous a character; .and:. I would not 

 permit a bitch in whelp to play with a dog of her own size, or a larger dog, 

 too much. A collision between her and a heavy companion might be very 

 serious indeed. 



If your bitch is a house pet and has been accustomed to jumping upon 

 chairs, the safest plan to guard against accidents is to tip the chairs up 

 against the wall for a week or two before she is due to whelp — if you are 

 yet keeping her in the house. When very heavy, she can not always make 

 the same jump, and should she miss, striking against chair and fall back, 

 it would likely mean the death of her and the pups. 



For a few days after being bred, quietude and exercise on chain is ad- 

 visable for safety, and should then follow exercise twice daily, in proportion 

 to constitution, temperament and condition, and as she nears the time of 

 whelping, the chain may be again necessary, as a restraint. 



From the time bitch is bred, the food need not be different from usual 

 until five or six weeks gone, and showing heavy with pUps, when she will 

 of course need more to eat. Feed her now more liberally with a fair pro- 

 portion of beef and mutton. Raw beef cut up fine, is very gxrod in winter, 

 a little once a day as she approaches the time of whelping. Bread and milk 

 and especially soups will be very good for the other meals; soft foods and 

 of an opening nature being desirable. A large beef or veal bone to gnaw 



