PREPARATION OF THE BITCH c IN SEASON.' 323 



never run slack. Even in the most severe countries a well pre- 

 pared dog, although he may be stale from a hard course or two, 

 should always show fire enough ; and if he does not, depend upon 

 it there has been some mistake in his preparation, provided his 

 breed is the right one. 



PKEPAEATION OF THE BITCH <IN SEASON,' OR AFTER 

 BEING SO. 



It is now a recognised fact among experienced coursers that 

 very few bitches can be depended on for three months from the 

 time they are ' in season.' Sometimes when this state first comes 

 on, they will run very keenly, and even when bleeding they 

 occasionally do so ; but they are always more or less uncertain, 

 and unless they are very much wanted, they are far better left at 

 home than paraded in public when in this condition. It is not 

 only that the bitch loses her course, but she is afterwards injured 

 by it; for it either tends to reduce her subsequent zest for the 

 sport, or when her bodily powers are upset it atfects her constitu- 

 tionally. As soon as ( the heat ' is over, a tendency to lose muscle 

 and to lay up fat is developed, indicating that the animal is in a 

 state fit for breeding purposes rather than for running. This 

 change varies considerably, and if the trainer finds that the 

 muscle keeps up, and that his bitch is lively and well, as will 

 sometimes happen, he may be justified in training and running 



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