DURATION. OF HEAT. 269 



education nearly completed at " pairing time " in the spring of 

 the next year, when only their breaking can properly be carried 

 on, as birds then lie like -stones and allow the dog to be reached, 

 and properly kept under by his breaker. Toy dogs, and all small 

 dogs, which are reared in the house, may be bred almost at any 

 time of the year, but even they are stronger and healthier if born 

 in the summer months, because- the puppies may then be supposed 

 to get more air and sun than they could do in the winter, when 

 the warmth of the fire is essential to their well-doing. 



DURATION OF HEAT. 



The duration of the period of heat in the bitch is about three 

 weeks, during the middle week of which she will generally take 

 the dog; but about the eleventh or twelfth day from the first 

 commencement, is, on the average, the best time to put her to 

 him. During the first three or four days of the middle week 

 the bitch " bleeds " considerably from the vulva, and while this is 

 going on she should not be allowed access to the male, nor will 

 she generally if left to herself, but as soon as it subsides, no 

 time should be lost, as it often happens that very shortly after- 

 wards she will refuse him altogether, and thus a whole year 

 may be lost. Most bitches are " in heat " twice a year, at equal 

 periods, some every five, or even every four, months ; others every 

 seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, or twelve months ; but the far 

 greater proportion of bitches of all breeds are " in season " twice 

 a year pretty regularly. There is, therefore, a necessity for ascer- 

 taining the rule in each bitch, as it varies so considerably ; for, 

 when it is known, the calculation can better be made as to the 

 probability of the heat returning at the desired time. The period 

 between the first and second " heats " will generally indicate 



