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CHAPTER I. 
BREEDING. 
Principles of Breeding—Axioms for the Breeder’s Use—Crossing and Crossed 
Breeds—Importance of Health in both Sire and Dam—Best Age to Breed 
from—In-and-in Breeding—Best Time of Year—Duration of Heat— 
Management of the Bitch in Season—The Bitch in Whelp—Pyreparation 
for Whelping—Healthy Parturition—Destruction or Choice of Whelps 
at Birth. 
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 
THE principles upon which the breeding of the dog should be con- 
ducted are generally in accordance with those necessary for the 
production of other domestic animals of the class Mammalia, 
remembering always that it is not reliable to argue from one class 
of animals to another, because their habits and modes of propa- 
gation vary so much as to interfere with the analogy. Thus, as 
the pigeon, in common with other birds, does not rear her young 
with the produce of her own body to the same comparative size as 
most of the individuals of the class Mammalia, the mother has 
not so much more to do with the process than the father as is the 
case with the bitch, mare, and cow, &c., where the quantity and 
quality of the milk are to be taken into the calculation. Hence, 
in selecting a sire and dam for breeding purposes among dogs, the 
bitch is most to be considered, for many reasons; one being that 
she usually continues the property of the breeder, while the sire 
can be changed each time she breeds; but the chief argument 
in her fayour being founded upon the supposition that she really 
impresses her formation upon her progeny more than the dog.. 
This, however, is a vexed question in natural history as well as in 
practical breeding, but from my own experience I am strongly of 
opinion that it is true. Many horses and dogs may be instanced 
