THE DOG. 
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are the best times of the year to allow dogs to breed. If puppies are whelped 
in the spring they have ample time to grow and be able to stand extreme hot 
weather, and if in the fall they will have attained a size which will enable 
them to better endure the winter’s cold. The majority of bitches come in sea- 
son some time in the spring or summer; by allowing a summer “period” to 
pass without serving, the next will very probably come around during the spring 
following, when the dog can be allowed. The bitch after this serving will be 
likely to be regular in the heats. 
MANAGEMENT OP THE BITCH IN SEASON. 
1 Bitches, when in season, should be confined so that no dog but the one 
chosen may come to her. This frequently causes ill-health, and will have an 
effect upon the whelps unless regular exercise is given (on the chain if neces- 
sary), until the period has passed. 
DURATION OP HEAT. 
A bitch is in heat about three weeks ; the first week she scarcely ever will- 
ingly accepts the dog, and at this time bleeds from the vulva. Not until this 
bleeding has subsided should she be lined, and then no time should be lost as 
desire now soon begins to pass away, and continues gradually to do so for the 
balance of the twenty-one days. It is a mistaken idea that the sex of the 
whelps can be regulated, by the time of the heat the dog is allowed to go to 
the bitch. There is no sure rule to follow. 
MANAGEMENT OP BITCH IN WHELP. 
A bitch from the time she conceives will run from sixty-three to sixty-five 
days before she gives birth to her litter. As soon as it is discovered that she 
is in whelp the exercise begun as directed should be kept up and rather in- 
creased daily. Her food now should be soft, yet nutritious, and easily digested, 
such as thickened soups, oatmeal and boiled milk ; oatmeal with lean meat, 
minced finely, mixed with it. Care being observed that her bowels be kept 
•pen. If costiveness shows itself a dose of castor oil or salts may be given. 
WHELPING. 
As soon as the day for whelping arrives, a quiet, clean and comfortable place 
should be provided for the bitch, and she should be left entirely alone, nature 
being her best assistant, unless something wrong takes place or malformation 
shows itself. While in labor and between the throes (it may be she will be 
the whole day in whelping) no food is required. She must be kept as quiet as 
possible. Some nervous bitches are apt to devour their puppies if disturbed 
kt this time. After all is completed a luke-warm gruel of half milk and half 
