662 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 
in sporting-dogs there are various opinions as to the time at 
which they should be bred. The strictest attention, how¬ 
ever, should be observed in regard of both male and female 
being in good health, and as perfect as possible in their 
points of form ; their faculty of smell should also be in high 
perfection, although it sometimes happens that cross, ill- 
made dogs possess excellent qualities in this respect; and 
when this is the case, and a breed is desired from them, a 
good male or female of the opposite sex should be selected, 
as the case may be. 
Much vigilance is necessary on the part of the feeder, to 
watch the females going to heat, and whenever the slightest 
indication of this becomes apparent, they should immedi¬ 
ately be separated from the rest of the pack, if dogs of 
chase, which will prevent quarrelling among the males. This 
should also be attended to with other sporting dogs. From 
neglect of this kind, it has not unfrequently happened that 
the best dogs of the pack, or the finest pointers and setters, 
have fallen victims to these broils. 
While in pup the female should not be hunted more than 
the first month, as it often proves injurious to her as well as 
her litter. During gestation, however, moderate exercise 
will be found of great service in preserving her health, and 
is in consequence likely to give strength to her offspring. 
Mr. Daniel is of opinion that winter whelps, if they sur¬ 
vive, come in well the following season, and that they are 
generally hardy and handsome; and he recommends to have 
no puppies later than April, as they seldom thrive in very 
hot weather ; and that of the early puppies, five or six should 
be kept, and of the later ones, not more than half that num¬ 
ber. We, however, beg to dissent from this conclusion, for 
the reasons stated in a former paragraph. 
When the female has littered, and the puppies have been 
