54 
The Shepherd or Police Dog 
The sire should be two years of age before he is 
used at stud. He is then at his full maturity and 
produces stronger puppies than when used at a 
younger age, and it means for him a longer life as 
a sire. He can serve 40 to 50 bitches per year, ac¬ 
cording to his vigor. One service is as good as a 
dozen, in fact, my own careful records show that 
there are less misses with one service than with more. 
The stud fee is the payment for this service, and 
after this is completed there is no further responsi¬ 
bility upon the owner of the stud dog. Some owners 
give a return service in the event of a miss, but this 
is entirely optional with the owner. After the 
service, the proven sire has done his part; the misses 
are the fault of the bitch, and the best of them will 
miss at any time. The stud dog, however, has been 
used, whether the service is successful or not. 
The time of service selected is usually after the 
cessation of the bleeding, or about nine to twelve 
days after its beginning. This should take place at 
least four or five hours after the last meal, since 
the consequent excitement is apt to call forth vomit¬ 
ing and all disturbances of any nature should be 
avoided at this time. Unless the bitch is known to 
be of a very friendly disposition, it is advisable to 
muzzle her, for many Shepherd bitches will bite at 
the dog and a show specimen is easily ruined with a 
torn ear or other disfigurement. It is not absolutely 
necessary that the dog should hang after the service. 
As a rule it generally takes place, but there have been 
scores of instances under my own observation where 
bitches conceived without it. 
