OPINIONS OF NOTED COURSERS 165 



years has ceased to maintain a kennel of greyhounds, declares 

 himself Laudator temporis acti, and proceeds thus : ' The en- 

 closed meetings have spoiled the all-round characteristics of 

 the greyhound ; for since these meetings were established he 

 has been bred for speed alone. There is also much more in- 

 breeding than in the olden time, which tends to deterioration.' 

 The latter part of this opinion is well worthy of notice, and 

 induces speculation as to whether or no in-breeding tends to 

 lower the general standard of merit, and if so in what direction. 

 Is it prejudicial to stamina? and does it promote speed? 

 In our chapter on breeding this will be found fully discussed, 

 and with it attention is called to the evils arising from the 

 overstrained procreative powers of the fashionable sires of the 

 day, a reason assigned by J. T. Shaw for what he holds to 

 be a slight deterioration in our present running dogs. The 

 opinion as to the evils arising from enclosed coursing and the 

 consequent ' flashiness ' and lack of stamina given by Messrs. 

 Porter Porter and Frank Richardson is shared by Messrs. 

 W. Ellis, J. L. Reed, J. Taylor, Horace Ledger, and A. J. 

 Humphery, who all express themselves more or less strongly 

 on the subject. 



Some there are who stoutly maintain that the greyhound 

 is a decidedly improved animal, and they mostly attribute this 

 desirable state of things to the greater care and attention be- 

 stowed by coursers on breeding, rearing, kennelling and train- 

 ing, as compared with the slipshod procedure of the days of 

 yore. Amongst this number are Messrs. Dent, F. Graves, 

 F. Dobson, G. M. Williams ; several others hold that the 

 average of merit has been maintained. 



Now, to sum up this question, we are inclined to agree 

 with those who point to flashy and roguish greyhounds as the 

 product of the enclosed meetings, to admit a great improve- 

 ment in average speed, and a corresponding falling off in 

 stamina and courage ; and moreover we would point to a 

 quality that may bear good fruit, but which, if abused, may 

 be disastrous in its consequences, viz. intelligence, which, if 



