62 BREEDING POINTERS, &C. 



lated to improve the breed of dogs in this country, however it 

 may be admired by the Spaniards : it is employed for a horrible 

 purpose, and is extremely fierce and courageous its master is 

 still more ferocious. 



However, there are, I believe, to be met with, particularly in 

 Sootland, setters of first-rate excellence, probably superior to 

 the best breed of pointers. At all events, if setters be the ob- 

 ject of the sportsman, let him select the sire and dam from families 

 of repute, and let the individuals, if possible, be remarkable, not 

 only for goodness of nose, but beauty of form, good temper and 

 the middle size. No better rule can be adopted in breeding 

 pointers, or indeed any other kind of dogs. 



A bitch will become proud very frequently before she is 

 twelve months old, the first symptoms of which are the red ap- 

 pearance and swelling of the vulva; but she will not, for some 

 days suffer the dog to ward her : however, as the heat advances, 

 she will play and dally with him, and manifest every inclination 

 to copulate. But as these animals grow generally till they are 

 nearly two years old, they ought not to be suffered to breed 

 before that period. 



To breed from either an old dog or bitch is improper. How- 

 ever, when two animals are chosen for this purpose, they should 

 remain together for some time, one night, for instance, is suffi- 

 cient ; but where the dog is only once admitted, the bitch will 

 sometimes prove barren. Nor is it a little remarkable, that, if 

 you suffer a bitch to receive several dogs, such as a terrier, a 

 greyhound, a bulldog, &c. she will produce puppies of all the 

 different kinds. 



Young dogs should be tied up or confined as little as possible, 

 as it spreads their feet, and they become out at the elbows, and 

 bandy legged. The same effects will be produced in a full 

 grown dog, but in a much less degree. Dogs of all ages should 

 have free access to good clean water, a clear stream if possible. 



