ELECTION OF DOGS, ETG. 343 



desirous of copulation. When your bitch 

 is lined, and with puppies, you must not let 

 her hunt, as it may make her cast the whelps ; 

 but let her be unconfined and at large ; she 

 will then be impatient for food ; you should 

 give her some warm broth once a day. 



If you would spay your bitch, it must be 

 done before she has had a litter of w 7 helps ; 

 and in spaying her, take not away all the 

 roots, or strings, of the veins ; if you do, you 

 will much prejudice her reins and hinder her 

 swiftness ever after ; but by leaving some 

 behind it will make her much the stronger, 

 and more hardy. Whatever you do, spay 

 her not when she is proud, as that will en- 

 danger her life ; you may do it fifteen days 

 after ; but the best time is, when the whelps 

 are shaped within her. 



