( 233 ) 



CHAPTER VIII. 



CROSSED BREEDS. 



I. Retriever : (a) The Curly-Coated ; (b) The Wavy-Coated— 2. Bull-Terrier 

 — 3. Lurcher — 4. Dropper — 5. Dog and Fox Cross. 



Although many of the breeds which have been enumerated in 

 the preceding chapters were most probably originally the produce 

 of crosses between distinct varieties, yet at present they are con- 

 tinued by breeding from a sire and dam of the same kind, 

 whereas, with those which we are now considering, there is con- 

 stantly a necessity for having recourse to the original breeds. 

 For instance, many breeds of the greyhound are known to be 

 crossed with the bull, and the identical animal with which the 

 cross first commenced is well ascertained, as in the case of Sir 

 James Bos well's " Jason," Mr. Etwell's " Eurus," &c. ; so also 

 with the foxhound, though here the particular cross is not so 

 well ascertained, but it is admitted to have taken place within 

 the last century. Yet these are not called mongrels, and the 

 breed, instead of being despised as such, is more highly prized 

 than those of the pure strain which formed one side of the parent 

 stock. The term mongrel may more properly be applied to those 

 chance crosses which occur from accident or neglect, the bitch 

 selecting her own mate, and being guided by caprice, without 

 reference to the fitness of the match in reference to the progeny 

 resulting. Hence we see the monstrosities which disgrace our 



