THE ITALIAN GREYHOUND. 637 



The principles of breeding will undoubtedly be thor- 

 oughly treated of in other portions of the work, but there 

 seems to be so little heed given to the careful directions 

 for improving the different varieties of the domestic ani- 

 mals, that repetition becomes fairly a necessity. 



In selecting a mate for an Italian Greyhound, the first 

 consideration should be to overcome any defects that may 

 exist, and at the same time to preserve in the offspring the 

 good qualities that either or both parents may possess. Of 

 course a dog nearly perfect is desired, if it be possible to 

 secure such, but you can at least get a mate that is strong 

 and fine where yours may be deficient. If your dog has a 

 bad head, get a mate with a specially good head. If his 

 tail is too short, see that the mate has a good long tail. 



In some of the young you will be sure to combine the 

 good qualities of both parents. Keep such, and still try 

 and go on to perfection. The greatest care should be exer- 

 cised lest some of the most valuable puppies be lost. Re- 

 serve the best always. Select carefully and nick properly 

 should be the motto in breeding. 



The Greyhound family is deservedly popular, and as the 

 larger varieties are brought into favorable notice through 

 their valuable qualities as coursers, I hope to see their 

 more elegant but feebler relatives, modestly and timidly 

 though they may, share in the general popularity of these 

 aristocratic dogs. 



