660 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
many instances where it is felt at eight, and it generally 
lasts about eighteen days. For the first four or five days 
she will not receive the embraces of the male, but keeps up 
a sportive dalliance with him ; after which unbounded vent 
is given to her desires, and even with a variety of males ; 
from the termination of which period, she is gravid nine 
weeks, or sixty-three days, and produces from five to twelve 
puppies, according to her size. 
Breeders are in the habit of restraining the desire of the 
female; and in general only allow her to be warded two or 
three times, which proves as effectual as the most unre¬ 
strained commerce. Indeed, it has been found, that from six 
to eight puppies have been the fruits of one coitus, and in 
some rare instances so many as eleven. 
Albertus mentions, that he saw a mastiff bitch, which 
brought forth at three litters, fifty whelps, viz. : nineteen at 
the first, eighteen at the second, and thirteen at the third 
litter. Some females have been known to produce puppies 
three times a year ; but this generally has the effect of de¬ 
stroying their constitution. Those, therefore, who have a re¬ 
gard for their dogs, and wish to preserve a healthy race, 
will never allow the female to produce oftener than once a 
year. 
It need hardly be remarked, that if it is wished to pre¬ 
serve a breed of dogs uncontaminated, all intercourse with 
those of different races must be strictly guarded against. 
The animals from which a breed is to be taken should be as 
perfect in their form as possible, as it would be in vain to 
expect handsome puppies from an ill-made sire and dam; 
although it not unfrequently happens, that in the case of one 
of the parents being cross in its make, an elegant progeny are 
produced, by the other possessing a more perfect symme¬ 
try, more especially when the female is beautifully formed 
