20 BREEDING. 



first season, it is never worth while to breed from very 

 old bitches, the whelps they throw are frequently small 

 and weak, and those which can be really depended 

 upon as being of a good family, and sound constitution, 

 will, of course, not be very numerous ; never breed 

 from those which are delicate, of either sex, and never 

 propagate vice in your kennel, by breeding from any 

 one which is notoriously wild and vicious, though he 

 be ever so stout and handsome. After Christmas, 

 such bitches as you may intend to breed from, should, 

 on their coming on heat, be immediately put to the 

 dog, and on no account should they be suffered to go 

 to work again that season ; no bitch should be put-to 

 after the first week in May, late puppies seldom do 

 much good. Before the breeding season commences, 

 care should be taken to have every convenience in 

 readiness for the comfort of the bitches. Under the 

 south-side (if possible) of one of the paddocks should 

 be placed, at certain distances, numerous roomy dog- 

 cubs, with small separate enclosures attached to each, 

 made with hurdles, resembling sheets of paling in 

 miniature ; the bars being nailed on perpendicularly, 

 renders it more diflScult for the puppies to climb over, 

 than when they are placed horizontally. Hither should 

 be brought each dam, a few days after she has produced, 

 and her whelps have acquired a little strength. When 

 the bitches become heavy, they should be shut up at 

 night separately, in dry, warm places, made for the 

 purpose, where they can be kept very quiet ; here 

 they may be allowed to whelp, and on no account 

 should their puppies be looked at or handled, until 

 some hours after they have come into the world ; it 



