Breeding and Raising Hounds, 151 



several generations we may expect many of them, 

 and the further back they extend there will be a 

 larger percentage, and they will also be more 

 pronounced. 



The science of breeding is not by any means 

 an accurate science, and Darwin, in the "Origin 

 of Species," says : "The laws governing inherit- 

 ance are for the most part unknown. No one can 

 say why the same peculiarity in different indi- 

 viduals of the same species is sometimes inherited 

 and sometimes not." 



Inbreeding is a subject that has received more 

 attention than any other one feature of breeding, 

 affording constant matter for controversy. 



Stonehenge says inbreeding is not injurious to 

 the dog, as has been proven both by theory and 

 practice. On the other hand, Darwin says in- 

 breeding diminishes vigor and fertility. 



Some claim that by inbreeding alone can one 

 fix and perpetuate good qualities in succeeding 

 generations. 



My experience is that inbreeding, when judi- 

 ciously and not excessively practiced, is essential 

 to type and many necessary qualities in the hound, 

 but if carried to too great an extreme, it unques- 

 tionably stunts growth and weakens both the con- 

 stitution and the intelligence. I have had this 

 more forcibly brought to my attention in the per- 

 sonal breeding of bloodhounds and Irish wolf- 

 hounds than in any other breed. 



