THE DOG. 05 



Though an old clog may be put to a young bitch, I 

 would not advise breeding from a very old one, since 

 the whelps will most likely partake of that heavy dul- 

 ness attendant on old age, as well as being small and 

 weakly. 



I have known some few sportsmen fond of breed- 

 ing in and in; that is, to give the father to the daugh- 

 ter, the brother to the sister, &c. and 1 have seen as 

 good dogs produced this way as ever were shot over: 

 this custom, however, is not very prevalent ; on the 

 contrary, the general practice of breeding is from dogs 

 and bitches that have not the smallest affinity. Thorn- 

 hill, speaking on this subject, tells you that nature 

 seems to forbid such a connection; and that he ad- 

 vises it on no account whatever, though he allows 

 that capital dogs have been produced this way. This 

 assertion, like many others which this gentleman's 

 book contains, is ridiculous; and if the sportsman is 

 desirous to try this method of breeding in and in, let 

 him do so by all means. Good dogs may be pro- 

 duced this way, no doubt; though, if I am to form 

 an opinion from my own experience, the progeny 

 becomes smaller. 



Once will be sufficient, most likely, for the dog to 

 line your bitch, and by taking him from her imme- 

 diately she will sooner be off the heat. It frequently 

 happens that at first a bitch will not take the dog; in 

 which it will be highly proper for them to remain to- 

 gether for some time, as by his courting and teazing 

 her, she will most likely ccrrply : if you find the bitch 



