136 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



of what breed or how fully grown she may seem to be. 

 Her constitution can not be matured, and to put on her 

 the severest strain possible is unwise, if not cruel, as re- 

 gards the offspring, and still more the bitch herself. 

 This is especially true of the larger breeds. 



It is well known that a fleshy bitch is apt to miss con- 

 ception, and as at some period of gestation the usual exer- 

 cise a dog should get must in her case be cut down more 

 or less, if she is even a little thin but extra hard in mus- 

 cle it will be well. 



Many bitches that have failed to conceive will do so 

 when reduced to a very thin condition. It is also recom- 

 mended to give such a brisk run just before and just after 

 copulation, especially the former. 



Barrenness exists to some extent among all animals. 

 Before a bitch in her prime is given up as hopelessly bar- 

 ren, she should be reduced to a low condition of flesh and 

 tried at successive seasons with different young and vig- 

 orous dogs. Even purgation and bleeding, to reduce the 

 animal still lower, have been tried, it is said, with success. 



While in "season" the bitch must often, to avoid 

 accidents, be less exercised than usual, in which case her 

 food must be cut down in quantity and be less stimulating 

 i. e., contain less meat, and consist more of milk, porridge, 

 bread, etc. 



It is a wise precaution to give exercise on chain, con- 

 sidering the eagerness of bitches to meet the opposite sex 

 regardless of pedigree, the methods they will employ to 

 escape, and in how brief a moment the best-laid plans may 

 be shattered. 



It occasionally happens that a dog will not mate with a 



