146 THE DOG IN HEALTH. 



out when the fittest or tlie unfittest can be selected with 

 certainty. 



But how, in many cases, to choose the best is no easy 

 matter even to the most experienced. One is greatly 

 aided often by past experience of puppies raised by the 

 same bitch, such and such like puppies having grown up 

 with such and such merits and defects. 



It sometimes happens that the smallest at birth may 

 become the largest, and a coarse-looking puppy may show, 

 when developed, both vigor and quality. 



It is not possible to lay down rules that will apply 

 alike to all breeds, but it is certainly always very risky to 

 retain the smallest and weakest puppy. Delicate animals 

 greatly increase the breeder's worries, no matter what their 

 beauty. Often the young seem so much alike in form, 

 etc., that one may as well choose for color and markings. 

 The advice of an experienced breeder is often of the 

 utmost value to the novice in the choice of puppies. In 

 general, a bitch can not raise well, in justice to herself, 

 more than four to six puppies. To leave to a dam of any 

 breed from eight to twelve puppies is sometimes down- 

 right cruelty and generally very poor policy, unless the 

 welfare and future of the puppies, and especially of the 

 bitch, are to be wholly ignored. An animal has only so 

 much vital energy, and if this be exhausted in rearing one 

 litter, the bitch must of necessity be made prematurely old. 



Often, however, the puppies are so valuable, from their 

 breeding (pedigree), that the owner can not afford to sac- 

 rifice any of them. 



In other cases the mother is, from various reasons, un- 

 able to suckle any of the litter. She may be very much 



