230 KENNEL SECRETS. 



in strength and vitality that their days are numbered even 

 from the first. But beyond the imperative necessity of 

 exercise, which alone is all-sufficient reason for allowing 

 bitches perfect freedom, there is another reason of very 

 great moment, and this appears in the fact that when per- 

 rnitted to do so they will get at manure heaps and dig up 

 and eat all sorts of stuff that they do not touch when not 

 in whelp, thereby plainly showing that there is much that 

 they need of which man as yet knows nothing. 



Of course there is some danger of infection by worms 

 whefe such tendencies are gratified, but that goes out 

 of sight in the presence of the many infinite advantages of 

 entire liberty ; and it is again urged that this be allowed 

 in every case in which it is possible, and when absolutely 

 impossible, the bitch in pup must be taken out for scampers 

 or strolls on all favorable opportunities. 



To bring on labor prematurely simply by exercise is 

 never easy in strong, healthy bitches as long as they go 

 their own gait, as it were, and instances are numerous in 

 which such have worked in the field to the day and almost 

 the very hour of whelping without experiencing any un- 

 pleasant results. Notwithstanding these, however, severe 

 exercise, as in hunting, during the last two or three weeks 

 of pregnancy, must be somewhat hazardous. 



As for working a bitch in whelp behind a horse, it is 

 never wise, for the chances are many that she would over- 

 exert herself. 



In these weeks special precautions are imperative against 

 jumping fences and like violent exercise ; and external 

 injuries must be carefully guarded against, for even a slight 

 blow may prove destructive. 



If the bitch is kept in a yard, to preclude all possibility 

 of her digging her way out is another essential precaution, 

 for were she to do so during the last two weeks of gesta- 



