Essentials of Animal Breeding. 



23 



The purchaser of inbred males, however, need have no fear of using 

 them if they are creditable representatives of the breed. As a matter 

 of fact, he should prefer inbred males to others, especially if they are 

 not related to his females, because they are more nearly alike in their 

 hereditary material, and for that reason more likely to reproduce 

 themselves with uniformity. They are usually sold under a guaran- 

 ty that they are breeders (or they should be so sold), and if they do 

 not breed, any reputable breeder will replace them. It is a general 

 rule that inbred animals, when mated to unrelated ones, even though 



Clydesdale Stallion, Fyvie Baron. 



FIG. 15. Note intelligent head and strong, crested neck, as well as evidence of vigor- 

 ous constitution, indicated by depth of body. 



the latter themselves are inbred, produce offspring larger and more 

 vigorous than either parent. From every standpoint, therefore, an 

 inbred sire should be desirable to use in a farmer's herd, provided the 

 animal is a good individual. The farmer should make certain of 

 this fact. Then he should ascertain that the strain itself is vigorous, 

 and finally he should have a guaranty that the animal bought will 

 prove to be a breeder. If these conditions are met, the farmer will 

 find inbred males much more impressive and will have a much more 

 rapid return in improving his stock than if he had used males which 

 were not inbred. 



