582 
likely to intensify the richness of a black 
coat. But the breeders of Dalmatians and 
Harlequin Great Danes do not appear to 
appreciate this theory, for it is not known 
that their kennels are decorated either with 
spots or parti-coloured patches. 
In the correspondence columns of the 
canine press one often comes upon refer- 
ences to the influence of a previous sire. A 
bitch forms an alliance with a dog of 
another breed than her own. Her whelps 
are, of course, mongrels; but does the mis- 
alliance affect her future offspring by a sire 
of her own breed? This is a question that 
has been frequently discussed. The 
majority of dog-breeders declare that there 
is no subsequent effect. Scientific zoolo- 
gists, however, aver that the influence of 
the male extends beyond his own immediate 
progeny, and there is the well-known ex- 
ample quoted as a proof by Darwin of the 
mare who was paired with a zebra. Her 
foal by the zebra was distinctly marked, 
which was to be expected; but afterwards, 
when she was mated with stallions of her 
own kind, the zebra stripes were still ob- 
vious, although in diminishing degrees, in 
all of her successive offspring. There is a 
closer affinity between the various breeds 
of dogs than between the zebra and the 
horse, and the influence of a previous sire 
is far less apparent; but it is against the 
tenets of science to declare, as many do, 
that there is no influence whatever. At the 
same time, the bearing of telegonous pro- 
geny is so rarely detectable in the dog that 
the possibility need not be seriously con- 
sidered, and if a pure-bred bitch should 
misconduct herself with a mongrel it is a 
misfortune, but she need not for that reason 
be rejected for future breeding operations. 
In founding a kennel it is advisable to 
begin with the possession of a bitch. As 
a companion the female is to be preferred 
to the male; she is not less affectionate and 
faithful, and she is usually much cleaner 
in her habits in the house. If it is in- 
tended to breed by her, she should be very 
carefully chosen and proved to be free from 
any serious fault or predisposition to 
disease. Not only should her written pedi- 
gree be scrupulously scrutinised, but her 
cwn constitution and that of her parents on 
both sides should be minutely inquired into. 
THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG. 
.\ bitch comes into season for breeding 
twice in a year; the first time when she is 
reaching maturity, usually at the age of 
from seven to ten months. Her condition 
will readily be discerned by the fact of an 
increased attentiveness of the opposite sex 
and the appearance of a mucous discharge 
from the vagina. She should then be care- 
fully protected from the gallantry of suitors, 
Dogs kept in the near neighbourhood of a 
bitch on heat, who is not accessible to them, 
go off their feed and suffer in condition. 
With most breeds it is unwise to put a 
bitch to stud before she is eighteen months 
old, but Mr. Stubbs recommends that a 
Bull bitch should be allowed to breed at 
her first heat, while her body retains the 
flexibility of youth; and there is no doubt 
that with regard to the Bulldog great mor- 
tality occurs in attempting to breed from 
maiden bitches exceeding three years old. 
In almost all breeds it is the case that the 
first three litters are the best. It is accord- 
ingly important that a proper mating 
should be considered at the outset, and a 
prospective sire selected either through the 
medium of stud advertisements or by 
private arrangement with the owner of the 
desired dog. For the payment of the re- 
quisite stud fee, varying from a guinea to 
ten or fifteen pounds, the services of the 
best dogs of the particular breed can usually 
be secured. It is customary for the bitch 
to be the visitor, and it is well that her visit 
should extend to two or three days at the 
least. When possible a responsible person 
should accompany her. 
If the stud dog is a frequenter of shows 
he can usually be depended upon to be 
in sound physical condition. No dog who 
is not so can be expected to win prizes. 
But it ought to be ascertained beforehand 
that he is what is known as a good stock- 
getter. The fee is for his services, not for 
the result of them. Some owners of stud 
dogs will grant two services, and this is 
often desirable, especially in the case of a 
maiden bitch or of a stud dog that is over- 
wrought, as so many are. It is most im- 
portant that both the mated animals should 
be free from worms and skin disorders. 
Fifty per cent. of the casualties among 
young puppies are due to one or other of 
the parents having been in an unhealthy 
