SELECTION OF SIRE. 209 



derangements, also structural defects, — as deformities of 

 limb, — are liable to be passed on to the offspring. 

 Furthermore, inherited defects are oftener transmitted than 

 the acquired. If, however, a dog is of a doubtful family, 

 his sire or dam having exhibited both inherited and 

 acquired defects, and he fortunately escaped such inheri- 

 tance, but because of faulty management in early life his 

 legs were badly crooked, yet he is evidently in good 

 health, strong and vigorous, then one would be justified 

 in breeding to him, provided he possesses some important 

 characteristic which the bitch to be mated is lacking. 



For instance, a dog has a grand head, but is so bad 

 behind he can rightly be termed a cripple. If good heads 

 are rare with his breed and he is a notable exception 

 and constitutes a favorable opportunity to improve them, 

 then they who choose him for their snippy-headed bitches 

 would be acting wisely. 



But rarely indeed are dogs at stud treated differently 

 than others, and yet they should be cared for as intelli- 

 gently, faithfully, and patiently as a young child, other- 

 wise, as a rule, their general health is soon impaired, they 

 are no longer sound in body and limb, they grow weak 

 behind, etc., and ere long are worthless for breeding 

 purposes. 



In their hygienic treatment of dogs at stud caretakers 

 are often seriously lacking. Doubtless all appreciate the 

 importance of daily exercise, yet many fail to discriminate 

 properly and nicely adjust it, as they ought. Consequently, 

 not infrequently heavy, non-sporting dogs are seen follow- 

 ing rapidly moving teams, while others designed for field 

 work are taken out on the chain. 



It ought not be difificult, at least after a time, to esti- 

 mate with near certainty the amount of exercise a dog 

 requires to keep him at his best. It follows also that it 



