ing “o).... BREEDING. 
Sagacity may be looked for in ‘several breeds, but it is’ most 
highly developed perhaps in the poodle, the Newfoundland, and 
the terrier; chiefly, I imagine, because these dogs are more fre~ 
quently the companions of man than the sporting dogs, which 
are kept in kennels. No dog is more capable of being taught than | 
the half-bred bull-terrier, although the bulldog is by no means so, 
and as he is almost always tied up, the reason is obvious enough. 
Solitary confinement makes all animals, and even man himself, 
more or less idiotic, and if any dog is to be rendered as sagacious 
as possible, he must be constantly associated with his master. 
Hence it is that the poacher’s dog is so much more clever than 
the fair sportman’s, for, being the constant companion and friend 
of his master, he understands every word he says, and is ready 
also to communicate his own ideas in return. 
To sum up, it may be assumed that the following breeds may 
be taken as types of the qualities so remarkable in each, and may 
be resorted to when any other kind is deficient in them. Thus, 
speed is typified in the greyhound, courage in the bulldog, and 
nose or scenting power in the bloodhound; for hunting purposes, 
the pointer or setter, when required in conjunction with setting ; 
and the spaniel or terrier, for finding or “ questing” both fur and 
feather. Lastly, sagacity is displayed in the poodle, Newfound- 
land, and terrier, chiefly because they are the constant associates. 
of man. 
IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH IN BOTH SIRE AND DAM. 
Health in both parents should be especially insisted upon, and 
in the bitch in-particular there- should’ be a sufficiently strong 
constitution to enable her to sustain the growth of her puppies 
before birth, and to produce milk enough for them afterwards, 
though in this last particular she may, of course, be assisted by a 
foster-nurse. 
BEST AGE TO BREED FROM. 
The best age to breed from, in/almost all breeds, is soon after 
the sire and dam have each reached maturity. When, however, 
the produce is desired to be very small, the older both animals. 
