182 BREEDING. 



DURATION OF HEAT. 



The duration of the period of heat in the bitch is about three 

 Vvveks, during the middle week of which she will generally take 

 tao dog ; but about the eleventh or twelfth day from the first 

 Cv/iiiiifencemeut is, on the average, the best time to bring her to him. 

 Lyuruig the first tnree or four days of the middle week the bitch 

 ' .viccds " considerably from the vulva, and while this is going 

 on s^e should not have access to the male, nor will she gen- 

 erally, if left to herself. But as soon as it subsides, no time should 

 be lost, as it often happens that very shortly afterwards she will 

 refuse him altogether, and thus a whole year may be lost. Most 

 bitches are " in heat " twice a year, at equal periods ; some every 

 five, or even every four, months ; others every seven, eight, nine, 

 ten, eleven, or twelve months; but the far greater proportion of 

 bitches of all breeds are " in season " twice a year pretty regularly. 

 There is, therefore, a necessity for ascertaining the rule in each 

 bitch, as it varies so considerably; for, when it is known, the cal- 

 culation can better be made as to the probability of the heat re- 

 turning at the desired time. The period between the first and 

 second " heats" will generally indicate the length of the succeed- 

 ing ones ; but this is not invariable, as the " putting by " of the 

 animal will sometimes throw her out of her regular course. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE BITCH IN SEASON. 



When bitches are not intended to breed, they are carefully " put 

 by," that is to say, they are secluded from the dog, and during 

 that time they are in great measure deprived of their usual exer- 

 cise. From this circumstance they are very apt to get out of 

 health, and some injury is thereby done to their offspring as well as 

 themselves. At this time, from their general feverishness, as well 

 as from their deprivation of exercise, they ought to be kept 

 rather lower than usual, and very little meat should be given. 

 Blops and vegetables, mixed with biscuit or oatmeal, form the 



