CHAPTER VII. 

 CROSSED BREEDS. 



RETBIEVEB.— BULL-TBRBIEB. 



Although many of the breeds which have been enumerated in 

 the preceding chapters were most probably the produce originally 

 of crosses between distinct varieties, yet at present they are con- 

 tinued by breeding from a sire and dam of the same kind. But with 

 those which we are now about to consider, there is constantly a neces- 

 sity for having recourse to the original breeds. For instance, many 

 breeds of the greyhound are known to be crossed with the bull, 

 and the identical animal with which the cross first commenced is 

 well ascertained, as in the case of Sir James Boswell's "Jason '* 

 Mr. Etwall's " Eurus," etc. ; so also with the foxhound, though 

 here the particular cross is not so well ascertained, but it is ad- 

 mitted to have taken place within the last century. Yet these are 

 not called mongrels, and the breed, instead of being despised as 

 such, is more highly prized than those of the pure strain which 

 formed one side of the parent stock. The term mongrel may more 

 properly be applied to those chance crosses which occur from ac- 

 cident or neglect, the bitch selecting her own mate, and being 

 guided by caprice, without regard to the fitness of the match in 

 reference to the progeny resulting. 



THE RETRIEVER. 



In speaking of the retriever, it is generally understood that the 

 dog for recovering game on land is meant, the distinct kind known 

 as the water spaniel being already alluded to on page 118. With 

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