20 BKEEDING 



matical calculation will show that by the time the 

 sixth or seventh generation is reached, but little of 

 the strange blood can remain. Practice has proved 

 that this theory works out with a good deal of 

 accuracy. The most historic cross would be, I 

 suppose, the union of a Greyhound and Bulldog, 

 brought about by the Lord Orford, who was so 

 famous in the coursing world of his day. The Grey- 

 hound having deteriorated in spirit, Lord Orford con- 

 sidered that the best means of infusing courage into 

 the breed was to call in the services of a Bulldog, 

 and he did so with most admirable results, although 

 the two animals are just about as unlike in struc- 

 ture as any we could find. 



Of more recent years, the late Sir Everett Millais 

 crossed a Bloodhound with a Basset, continuing 

 to breed afterwards with pure Bassets. By the 

 seventh generation absolutely no trace of the Blood- 

 hound could be seen, except in improved size and 

 stamina. The Bloodhound, too, has been crossed 

 with an Otterhound, a Foxhound, and a French 

 Hound. Probably it is scarcely necessary to make 

 so many experiments as this, and a shorter road 

 to the desired result would be brought about if 

 breeders took united action. Promiscuous in-breed- 

 ing is strongly to be condemned, for it should only 

 be undertaken with a clearly-defined object, and on 

 a carefully thought out plan, otherwise the evils are 

 likely to far outweigh the good. 



Breeding is a most fascinating pursuit, but it needs 

 to be carried on with judgment and good sense. 

 At the outset it is far wiser to content oneself with 

 a moderate number of brood bitches, always bearing 

 in mind that neglect and overcrowding are fatal to 



