IN season: 221 



while some bitches will not permit the approach of the 

 dog, or in other words are not " ready," before the end of 

 the second week, others have reached this most important 

 stage by the end of the first week. Moreover, that while 

 as a rule bitches remain for several days in a state when 

 to mate is possible, in some cases this period scarcely 

 extends beyond a day. 



Most bitches can be mated about the twelfth day, but 

 in occasional instances they are ready on the sixth or 

 seveTith, while in others mating is impossible before 

 the fourteenth or fifteenth day. And these peculiarities 

 are not constant, for the same bitch at one season may be 

 ready in the beginning of the second week, and yet at her 

 next this essential condition be delayed until a much later 

 day. 



Obviously no rule can be fixed which will meet all cases, 

 and the only safe course to pursue after a bitch comes in 

 season is to note each day the condition of her discharge 

 and admit the dog when it has lost most of its redness. 

 Some writers, by the way, advise waiting until the redness 

 has entirely disappeared, and to this no objection can be 

 offered where the handlers are experienced and the bitches 

 old acquaintances, but for tyros, or even masters with 

 strange subjects, to delay until such complete change in 

 the discharge has occurred would be decidedly hazardous 

 — a statement which doubtless many who recall their ear- 

 liest attempts at breeding will fully indorse. 



A bitch may act shyly at first in the presence of the 

 dog, but if ready she will generally soon give evidence of 

 the fact by frisking about him, assuming peculiar attitudes 

 and very likely jumping upon him. If, however, she 

 growls and snaps when he approaches, and persists in 

 doing this for about ten minutes, he should be removed, 

 to be returned on the following day. And it is well to 



