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terriers mature quickly, but the large breeds should certainly not be bred
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until at least eighteen months old, and in any case it is wise to allow the
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first period to pass.
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Another question asked, is whether a bitch should be bred at every
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period, or rather, whether it is wise to do so. This depends a good deal
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upon the vigor of the bitch, but unless a bitch be looked upon as a mere
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machine to produce puppies for the benefit of the owner's pocket, it is well
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to allow the bitch to be served every other period. When a bitch is bred
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twice a year and has a litter each time, the strain upon her vitality must be
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very great, and unless the mother is more than ordinarily vigorous, later
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litters will show a corresponding weakness.
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A bitch first shows signs of coming in season by bleeding. Now, if you
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are watching for her and take note of the clay the bleeding begins, then
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one method to determine when she is ready to take the dog is to count
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from this day, and from the tenth to twelfth day she is ready for the dog.
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This rule does not always work, however, for I've had bitches that were ready
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and willing to be served even in the sixth day and yet others would not take
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the dog till the fifteenth day. Quite a good plan is to take her out for a
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walk on chain when you think she is about ripe, and let her meet the first
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d )£ she sees, or, if you have a dog on your place, allow her near this dog
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for a minute, and if she would accept this dog, then you can be certain that
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she Is ready to be bred and take her to the dog you have selected. If you
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try this plan, be careful or else she might fool you and get served by this
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dr? »he had met. Dogs are quick workers.
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After a visit to the dog, the mother will carry her progeny about 63
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or 64 days, as a rule, but they sometimes whelp a few days sooner or later,
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and you need not be alarmed unless they go by from five days to a week,
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when very likely trouble is in store and assistance to be given, or better yet,
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call in a good veterinarian. I have had bitches whelp a week ahead of time;
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such cases are rare, however, and have raised the pups by extra attention
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given for a few days as to often putting the pups to the teats to nurse if
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thay did not get there themselves. We can no reckon the time exactly. Much
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depViVs upon the health and strength, and even mental idiosyncrasy.
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The best time for the visit is early spring, as the puppies have then
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all the long summer before them to romp and get strong in.
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At the time of mating, particularly, exercise should be well regulated,
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and must be insisted on. Whilst at this period exercise is essential, ex-
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haustive work would be detrimental. The amount of exercise should de-
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pend on the individual, a gross and lusty bitch needs plenty of freedom,
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while one the reverse would need less exercise, in proportion to her physical
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strength.
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For a couple weeks before bitch is due to whelp, she must have a daily
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walk up to within a day or so of the time due, but this must be gentle as
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she is very heavy.
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tp have a goed litter of puppies, a bitch must not onky possess blood
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free from all taint of disease, but she must be strong and in good condition
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about the time of oestrum, or heat.
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If you have in any way neglected her, or if, through circumstances
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over which you have probably had no control, she has fallen off a bit, begin
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to get her in form three months before the time of her coming on. It will
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pay you to do so.
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The following as to giving the bitch some medicine to open her bowels
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I found in Field and Fancy, but who written by I do not know:
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"Some there are who deem it wrong to give a mild cathartic Imme-
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diately before the time of whelping. A violent purge is certainly to be de-
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precated, but it is the firm opinion of the writer that the bitch is mater-
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ially helped and benefited by a little opening medicine. At any rate, that
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course is invariably followed by the most successful accouchers among
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women, and it must be obvious to the merest novice that when the system
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is greatly upset, or about to undergo a severe ordeal, the condition of the
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stomach and bowels is of the highest importance. A moderate dos«J of
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castor oil, say a dessertspoonful for a 30-lb. dog, or even some sweet olive
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oil, will do all that is required without inducing excessive straining. Such
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has been my custom for a good many years, and events have proved its
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value."
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My plan is to watch the passages of bitch just before she whelps, and
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if she is constipated, to then give her a mild dose of castor and olive oil.
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I believe when a bitch is just ready, that one service is sufficient, and
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rarely ever allow my own to be served but once, but to -make assurance
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doubly sure, a second service after an interval of twenty-four- hours, would
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be advisable. If you are sending her away to some kennel to be bred, ship
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her not later than the eighth day.
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It would be as well if you could go with your favorite instead of send-
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ing her, but most, if not all, good breeders are not only gentlemen, but lovers
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of dogs and will take the greatest care of the bitch.
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The length of time of a bitch being in season is from fifteen to twenty
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days as a rule, but there are exceptions to this. If a bitch is served late in
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season, the service generally prolongs the season or period in which she
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would willingly accept the dog. A very fat bitch should never be bred,
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as in so doing you are liable to lose not only the pups, but the bitch her-
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self. After the mating, the bitch should be kept secluded (no food or water
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having boen given her directly before), nor any food for six hours after.
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Now, for the next two months the bitch must require every attention.
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For safety's sake she should be kept away from her old canine friends for
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about a week. She must not, however, be denied exercise, and. all through-
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