THE BULLDOG 27 



of puppies, showing better developed bone, than did the one 

 who was fed on milk and cereals. 



Similarly, in order that the puppy, after weaning, may 

 develop plenty of bone and muscle, it is advisable to feed 

 once a day upon finely minced raw meat. There are some 

 successful breeders, indeed, who invariably give to each 

 puppy a teaspoonful of cod liver oil in the morning and a 

 similar dose of extract of malt in the evening, with the result 

 that there are never any rickety or weak dogs in the kennels, 

 whilst the development of the bones in the skull and limbs 

 is most pronounced. 



Owing to their lethargic disposition, young Bulldogs are 

 somewhat liable to indigestion, and during the period of 

 puppyhood it is of advantage to give them a tablespoonful 

 of lime water once a day in their milk food. 



Many novices are in doubt as to the best time to breed from 

 a Bull bitch, seeing that oestrum is present before she is fully 

 developed. It may be taken as practically certain that it is 

 better for her to be allowed to breed at her first heat. Nature 

 has so arranged matters that a Bull bitch is not firmly set in 

 her bones until she reaches an age of from twelve to eighteen 

 months, and therefore she will have less difficulty in giving 

 birth to her offspring if she be allowed to breed at this time. 

 Great mortality occurs in attempting to breed from maiden 

 bitches exceeding three years of age, as the writer knows to 

 his cost. 



It is desirable, in the case of a young bitch having her first 

 litter, for her master or mistress to be near her at the time, 

 in order to render any necessary assistance ; but such atten- 

 tions should not be given unless actual necessity arises. 



Some bitches with excessive lay-back and shortness of face 

 have at times a difficulty in releasing the puppy from the 

 membrane in which it is born, and in such a case it is necessary 

 for the owner to open this covering and release the puppy, 

 gently shaking it about in the box until it coughs and begins 

 to breathe. 



