CHOICE OF PUPPIES. 145 



In the case of the brood bitch, as in all else that con- 

 cerns the dog, we must act as if a human being were con- 

 cerned, and a similar regard for the animal's feelings 

 should be shown as in the case of a member of the human 

 family ; in fact, in the case of some dogs more, the sub- 

 missive, dependent, gentle, and approval-loving traits of 

 the dog being among its most pronounced attributes. No 

 one can better manage a brood bitch than a lady of refine- 

 ment, who has had some experience with the canine race 

 and is gifted with discretion and a practical turn of mind. 

 Men, in dealing with dogs in whelping, must try and feel 

 as women, and to do this is worth more than any amount 

 of specific directions, especially if there be an intelligent 

 comprehension of the nature of the physiological pro- 

 cesses involved. 



CHOICE OP PUPPIES. 



It very generally happens that more puppies are 

 born than the dam can rear successfully or without great 

 injury to herself. 



In most litters the puppies are not all equally beauti- 

 ful or equally vigorous ; and if the purpose is to breed to 

 the best advantage rather than to supply the market, it 

 will be wise to follow Nature and send the weakest to 

 the wall, or imitate " natural selection," for, without doubt, 

 the weakest do generally perish in the litters of wild 

 animals. 



When some are very obviously both weak and small, 

 these are plainly to be selected for drowning, and he 

 who can not drown should not breed. "The survival 

 of the fittest" is Nature's law, and it must be followed 



