522 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



Finally, before closing our remarks upon the general subject of breeding, we wish to warn 

 beginners that they are undertaking a tedious and very disappointing pursuit when they set up 

 to be breeders of exhibition dogs. The best of calculations are often upset by accident or 

 fate, and many a promising puppy falls a victim to the ills that puppyhood is peculiarly heir to. 

 To have bred a first-rate dog of any breed is indeed a thing to be proud of, when it is considered 

 how many scores of persons are expending time and money and judgment upon this very object. 

 How few champions there are in the world is a statement which can be read in two ways either 

 there are so few that it should be an easy matter to add to their number ; or it may be construed 

 as implying that a vast amount of labour is wasted in trying to produce what is in reality a matter 

 of chance. To us there appears to be both truth and untruth in each opinion ; but the fact 

 remains that champions have arisen, and will arise again, and are far more likely to be brought 

 into existence when due attention is paid to the mates a breeder selects for his dogs. 



Careful people invariably keep regular stud books referring to their breeding operations ; 

 in these the date of birth (and if necessary of the purchase), colour, sex, weight, breeder, and 

 performances of their stock, are registered. The visits of their own bitches, and of others to their 

 stud dogs, are also entered ; as ate the dates of sales, and the names and addresses of the 

 purchasers. By this means ready and accurate information can be obtained concerning the 

 history of any animal which may at one time or other pass through their hands. 



THE STUD DOG. 



A great deal of a breeder's success depends upon the state of health in which the stud dog 

 is when he begets offspring ; for a delicate or unhealthy dog is more than likely to transmit 

 his defects to his puppies, who are in consequence more difficult to rear, and of less value 

 when they attain maturity. Considerable attention should therefore be paid to the comfort 

 of a dog who is in the habit of receiving a large number of stud visits. He should, if possible, 

 be well exercised morning and evening, either by a country walk, or a run round his owner's 

 yard ; and his diet must be wholesome and liberal. A plunge in cold water materially assists 

 in keeping a dog in vigorous condition, and in warm weather may be taken daily. It should 

 be borne in mind, too, that it is always well to have your stud dogs look clean and tidy, both 

 when put of doors and when in the kennels. Much depends upon the first impressions formed 

 by the owner of a bitch who contemplates breeding from him, and many a dog is passed over 

 whose services, had he been in better fettle, might have been resorted t. Care should be 

 taken not to overtax the energies of a young sire by allowing him to receive too many stud 

 visits ; the result of excesses in this way being both sickly offspring and his own ultimate failure 

 at the stud. Fifteen or twenty bitches a year are quite enough for a dog not in his prime, and 

 about twice the number for a dog in the full vigour of his strength. As a rule, dogs under 

 eighteen months old are not likely to do themselves or their owners much good if bred from ; 

 and availing one's self of the services of a very old dog is always risky. It is extremely hard to 

 state an age at which a dog can be said to be " old" ; some retain the vigour of their youth up to 

 ten years and more, whilst others get decrepit and break up at six or seven. So much depends 

 upon constitution and careful attendance, that it is impossible to advise upon the age at which a 

 stud dog ceases to be of use ; but breeders should see the dog for themselves, if they do not know 

 him, and judge, from his appearance and condition, whether he is likely to suit their wishes. 



On the arrival of a bitch for service, the owner of the stud dog should, unless time is a matter 

 of consideration, fasten her up securely, and let her recover from the fatigues of her journey 



