26 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



to produce this last habit in the young colts. They 

 are, however, exceedingly docile and obedient when 

 they understand the commands of their masters." 



A late writer in one of the foreign journals, says that 

 he had a ''pup taken from its mother at six weeks old, 

 who although never taught to 'beg' (an accomplish- 

 ment his mother had been taught) spontaneously took 

 to begging for every thing he wanted when about 

 seven or eight months old ; he would beg for food, beg 

 to be let out of the room, and one day was found oppo- 

 site a rabbit hutch apparently begging the rabbits to 

 come and play.'' 



If even in such minute particulars as these, heredi- 

 tary transmission may be distinctlj^ seen, it becomes the 

 breeder to look closely to the "like" which he wishes 

 to see reproduced. Judicious selection is indispensa- 

 ble to success in breeding, and this should have regard 

 to every particular — general appearance, length of 

 limb, shape of carcass, development of chest ; if in cat- 

 tle, the size, shape and position of udder, thickness of 

 skin, "touch," length and texture of hair, docility, &c., 

 &c. ; if in horses, their adaptation to any special excel- 

 lence depending on form, or temperament, or nervous 

 energy. 



Not only should care be taken to avoid structural 

 defects, but especially to secure freedom from hereditary 



