PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. 



INGE the third edition of this book was published so short a 

 time has elapsed that very little change in, or addition to, the 



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" Dogs of the British Islands " is to be noticed. In the sporting 

 division a warm controversy has for some time been going on 

 with regard to the breeding of the Laverack setter, one party alleging 

 that all of this breed are descended from one pair mentioned by Mr. 

 Laverack as the sole progenitors of his strain, while the other maintain 

 (1st) that Mr. Laverack himself admitted, both orally and in writing, that 

 he had used importations from other kennels ; and (2nd) that it is incredible 

 that the average age (9) necessary to show the truth of the Adam and 

 Eve theory is within the bounds of possibility. My own opinion is that 

 the second of these objections is enough to dispose of this theory to the 

 satisfaction of any person of average powers, but that the first is not by 

 any means proved. In any case the question is of no importance, for the 

 breed is now to be regarded from actual results, and not from theoretical 

 grounds which ought entirely to give way before our experience of its 

 merits or demerits, whichever may be in excess. Now, on the show bench, 

 the Laveracks (so called) have held their own both in this country and 

 abroad, but in the field they have stood no chance against the crosses 

 with other strains, and especially with those used by Mr. Purcell Llewellin, 

 whose breed, now called " Llewellin's," should therefore be preferred. With 

 this exception there has been little or no novelty in any class of sporting 

 dogs described by me in the previous editions, but I have added an article 

 on the French Basset, now extensively bred in this country, written by 

 Mr. Krehl, which will be read with especial interest by the admirers of 

 that dog, and also by hound men in general. 



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