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 — Preparation 

 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 

 conducted 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 



