47 



have arisen from a common mutant origin ; thus the leg defect 

 might show the same genetic reactions in both. The Pekingese, 

 however, probably arose as an achondroplasic dwarf mutant 

 from a chow-like ancestor and is almost certainly independent 

 in its origin from the other two breeds. This suggests a 

 question : does the short leg of this dog behave in inheritance 

 in the same way as the legs of the other two breeds? 



The most dependable stocks available were procured from 

 reliable registered kennels, and the pedigrees without excep- 

 tion have proven to be correct for breed purity in leg form. 

 Results of hybridization experiments offer conclusive proof 

 of this purity. 



THE GENETICS OF LIMB ACHONDROPLASIA IN THE BASSETHOUND 



The short legged bassethound was crossed with the con- 

 trasted long legged normal or standard dog type, the German 

 shepherd; with the slender, very long legged greyhound-like 

 Saluki ; with the English bulldog, which has short and stocky 

 but straight non-achondroplasic legs; and finally with the 

 short legged dachshund. The problem of central interest is 

 the manner of inheritance for the achondroplasic growth of 

 the legs and the determination of the part played by the 

 endocrine secretions in the mode of expression for this char- 

 acter. 



Bassetliound-slieplierd hybrids. The bassethound is short 

 haired, with an irregular color pattern, the body spotted 

 white and black and the head and ears a reddish brown. 

 It has the large, long, pendulous ears of the hound, and the 

 skin area is excessive, loosely fitting and sagging into folds 

 in the neck and chest regions. The tail is carried in a raised 

 curve and sometimes in an almost vertical position. The 

 bassethound is prized for trailing and hunting rabbits, foxes 

 and other small mammals through heavy undergrowth. It 

 runs with head down, scenting the game with the nose close 

 to the ground; when the trail is found the dog barks as it 

 runs, carrying a so-called open or noisy trail. 



