24* BULLDOG CROSS. 



shown none of the properties of a first class greyhound, except in 

 appearance, one of them, ' His Excellency,' having taken the first 

 prize at the dog show held at Islington in May 1864. It may be 

 alleged that there has not yet been sufficient time to test the 

 experiment, or that Mr. Hanley was unfortunate in selecting his 

 early greyhound crosses, and this latter point may probably have 

 had something to do with his failure, if such is to be the result of 

 so much pains and expense ; but certainly as yet the produce have 

 not come up even to the form exhibited by the dog which he used. 

 At present, therefore, the experiment may be considered a failure, 

 but there is no knowing what indefatigable perseverance may 

 accomplish. My own belief is that the bulldog cross developes 

 the animal courage, and that it also somewhat increases the mental 

 faculties, so that the dog is inclined to run cunning but not slack. 

 This point should therefore be considered ; but as I fancy it will be 

 found that the increase of jealousy and courage will almost always 

 overpower the tendency to lurch, the advantages will more than 

 counterbalance the disadvantages to the public courser. I am 

 inclined to believe that the bulldog cross will in most cases 

 prevent a greyhound from running well through more than two 

 seasons. The puppy has more tact, and soon comes to his best ; 

 but that state is not so long maintained, for as soon as he becomes 

 careless of his game, and finds that he has no difficulty in killing, 

 he loses his zest more rapidly than the true-bred greyhound. I 

 much doubt, therefore, whether this cross is so well adapted to 

 private coursing, or to the use of those who expect their dogs to 

 run through as many seasons as ( Sandy,' ' Emperor,' or ' Cerito ' 



