CHAPTER II. 
Choice of Sire and Da* in Breeding — Age to Breed — Time of Year to Breed — Management of 
Bitch in Season — Duration of Heat — Management of Bitch in Whelp — Whelping — Care of 
Whelps — Weaning — Feeding — Training of Pointers and Setters — Training of Spaniels — Train* 
ing of Hounds — Training of Vermin Dogs— To Prevent and to Break from Gun Shyness- 
Hunting a Bitch while in Whelp. 
CHOICE OF SIRE AND DAK. 
It is of great importance that the breeder should choose good specimens of 
both sire and dam of the breed he intends giving his attention to. If setter 
or pointer, selecting a dog that possesses the qualities or traits that are wanting 
in the bitch, and which he desires to intensify in the offspring. For instance, 
if the dam is of a timid nature, but otherwise having no great faults, she 
should be served by a bold, courageous sire ; or, if the dog is not as speedy as 
is wanted, the dam must be the opposite. Select always such animals whose 
breeding is assured, and have proven pedigrees if possible. Breeding in and 
in is generally very beneficial, and tends to stamp any particular family trait 
more indelibly in the offspring, but it can be carried to an injurious extent, 
and a point will be reached when fresh blood must be sought, which being 
obtained we may go back to original strain again. It is held by some that the 
first impregnation has an effect upon subsequent litters by different sires. It 
is necessary, therefore, to be careful in the selection of the cross that it will 
not neutralize the original impregnation or in like manner be neutralized by 
it. Like produces like in breeding, so in proportion to the purity of the breed 
will be the qualities transmitted to the whelps. 
AGE TO BREED. 
Most bitches are of an age to breed before they are a year old ; but it is 
advisable to wait until the appearauce of the second heat, and allow the first 
to pass without giving her the dog. At one year old small dogs can be per- 
mitted to breed, for at that age they will have reached the period of the second 
heat. Setters and pointers at 15 to 18 months are perfectly matured and in 
proper development, but the mastiff and other large dogs, not attaining their 
full growth until they are two years old, must not be bred until that age. 
TIME OF YEAR TO BREED. > 
Spring and fall, if not too early in the first and too late in the last season, 
520 
