662 MANUAL UF MODERN FARRIERY. 



in sporting- dogs there are various opinions as to the time at 

 which they should be bred. The strictest attention, how- 

 ever, should be observed in regard of both male and female 

 being in good health, and as perfect as possible in their 

 points of form ; their faculty of smell should also be in high 

 perfection, although it sometimes happens that cross, ill- 

 made dogs possess excellent qualities in this respect ; and 

 when this is the case, and a breed is desired from them, a 

 good male or female of the opposite sex should be selected, 

 as the case may be. 



Much vigilance is necessary on the part of the feeder, to 

 watch the females going to heat, and whenever the slightest 

 indication of this becomes apparent, they should immedi- 

 ately be separated from the rest of the pack, if dogs of 

 chase, which will prevent quarrelling among the males. This 

 should also be attended to with other sporting dogs. From 

 neglect of this kind, it has not unfrequently happened that 

 the best dogs of the pack, or the finest pointers and setters, 

 have fallen victims to these broils. 



While in pup the female should not be hunted more than 

 the first month, as it often proves injurious to her as well as 

 her litter. During gestation, however, moderate exercise 

 will be found of great service in preserving her health, and 

 is in consequence likely to give strength to her offspring. 



Mr. Daniel is of opinion that winter whelps, if they sur- 

 vive, come in well the following season, and that they are 

 generally hardy and handsome ; and he recommends to have 

 no puppies later than April, as they seldom thrive in very 

 hot weather ; and that of the early puppies, five or six should 

 be kept, and of the later ones, not more than half that num- 

 ber. We, however, beg to dissent from this conclusion, for 

 the reasons stated m a tonner paragraph. 



When the female has littered, and the puppies have been 



