PREPARATION OF BITCH AFTER BEING ' IN SEASON.' 325 



first litter ; and many similar examples, though not perhaps quite 

 so remarkable, might be adduced. Mr. Webb's e Flirt ' ran fourth 

 for the Waterloo Cup when three weeks gone in pup to ' Fore- 

 most,' the produce of which was a litter composed of e War Eagle,' 

 'Wicked Eye,' 'Wrestler,' and 'Well I never.' On the other 

 hand, numerous instances could be adduced of bitches never 

 recovering their form after whelping, and I am inclined to believe 

 that the chances are very even as to the result. My opinion is 

 that it mainly depends upon the number of the puppies composing 

 the litter. 'Kiot' had only six in her first, and seven in her 

 second litter, and e Tollwife ' a still smaller number. Hence they 

 were not much pulled down during pregnancy, and soon recovered 

 shape and strength ; whereas, when a bitch has a large litter of ten 

 or twelve puppies, she never is restored to her maiden shape, nor 

 does she recover her strength for a long time, and is seldom as 

 fast afterwards as she was before. My opinion is that almost all 

 bitches become more fiery, and run more stoutly, after one or even 

 two litters, but in the majority of instances they lose speed. 

 Probably a good deal depends upon their treatment dining their 

 'heat' and subsequent pregnancy; for it often happens that 

 bitches are kept in kennel almost constantly through these 

 periods, and are not allowed sufficient exercise to maintain them 

 in health. One thing is quite certain, namely, that the vast 

 majority of bitches will run slack for two or three months from 

 the time of going off their c heat.' This may generally be reckoned 

 to extend to the third or fourth week after their natural e whelping 

 time ;' so that there is no saving of time in keeping them from the 



