DOGS. 25 



MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES OF DOGS. 



It is not our intention, under this head, to parti- 

 cularise the great numbers of cross-bred dogs that 

 constitute the endless varieties which present them- 

 selves to view in every direction; some few of them 

 may be estimated for some peculiarity of shape, 

 or make, or colour; but as they are generally value- 

 less for any useful purpose, we shall not step out of 

 our way to make an exception even in their favour; 

 except, in a subsequent part of this comprehensive 

 treatise, to show how the complaints with which, 

 like others of the dog tribe, they are subject to, may 

 be prevented and removed. Suffice it, therefore, to 

 say, that where dogs are permitted to go at large, 

 and intermix with each other without control or re- 

 straint; the consequence must be, a degenerate 

 mongrel race of curs, undistinguished by any good 

 quality, and valueless for any positive real use: edu- 

 cation may, indeed, do something to improve them; 

 but unless the breeding be conducted upon judicious 

 principles, no good result can be expected; and no 

 dog produced from such a mixture of breeds will be 

 worth the expense of maintenance; added to this, 

 our streets would be less infested with the currish 

 race, were the breed of dogs more carefully at- 

 tended to, arid that distressing malady hydrophobia, 

 or canine madness, less frequently met with, and 

 much less often attended with such horrible and fatal 

 results. 



Our next observations will apply to the best 

 methods of preserving the perfect breeds of the seve- 

 ral varieties of dogs of which we have treated. 



