On the arrival of a bitch for service, the owner of the stud dog should, unless time is a matter of consideration, fasten her up securely and let her recover from the fatigues of her journey before the introduction takes place. A night's rest and a feed are very likely to assist Natures' course, a bitch served immediately after a tiring journey being far more likely to miss conception than one who has rested and become a little accustomed to the place and those around her. Many bitches are very troublesome and restive when with the dog, and throw'themselves about in a violent manner; others are savage and morose, and if not carefully looked after are likely to fly at him and perhaps do some serious injury. In such cases the bitch must be held by the collar, but care should be taken that she does not get half suffocated by too tight a grasp being placed on it. The possibility of a fight taking place, or of the dog requiring some assistance, especially in the case of young bitches, make it undesirable that the pair should be left alone together for any length of time, much less after connection has terminated.

After union it is some time before the animals can be separated; twenty minutes is about the average, though, of course, this period is often exceeded or decreased in duration. After that the breeder must wait patiently for Nature to take its course, when the bitch should be kennelled by herself on straw, and kept as quiet as possible. It is desirable that a second visit should, if possible, be paid after an interval of thirty-six or forty-eight hours. The majority of the owners of stud dogs gladly consent to this arrangement, as it lessens the chances of the bitch proving barren, and also saves them trouble, and their dogs from getting a bad name as a stock getter.

When you get your bitch home, she is very likely to be yet in season, as being served generally prolongs the season for a few days - and you must now be very careful that no other dog gets at her, which might spoil all that was done.