BREEDING AND RAISING 29 



essential to type and many necessary qualities 

 in the hound, but carried to too great an ex- 

 treme it unquestionably stunts growth and 

 weakens . both constitution and intelligence. 

 The most glaring contradiction of this rule is 

 in the case of game chickens, as those incestu- 

 ously bred are gamer, stronger, and more am- 

 bitious than others. 



In inbreeding, the mating of sire and dam 

 with daughter and son is unquestionably prefer- 

 able to mating brother and sister. Once cross- 

 ing in, twice crossing out is an old rule and a 

 most excellent one to observe in hound breed- 

 ing. The antiquity of the hound with its long 

 line of breeding makes an absolute outcross 

 (such, for instance, as the Greyhound) less 

 dangerous than would be the case in many 

 modern breeds. The influence of such a cross 

 on type would soon be entirely obliterated. 

 No type can be maintained by adhering strictly 

 to the best selections of the same family, there- 

 fore rigidly adhere to one type, no matter how 

 great the temptation may be to do otherwise, 

 or the ultimate destruction of type will follow. 



Due attention must be paid to joint selection 

 of sire and dam and the possibilities of a good 

 cross or nick. If sire and dam have vigor, 

 perfect health, and strength, it is fair to pre- 



