Chap. XVII. 
PKEFERENCES IN PAIRING. 
271 
chiefly to the smaller breeds, is convinced that the 
females are strongly attracted by males of large size.^^ 
The well-known veterinary Blaine states that his own 
female pug became so attached to a spaniel, and a 
female setter to a cur, that in neither case would they 
pair with a dog of their own breed until several weeks 
had elapsed. Two similar and trustworthy accounts 
have been given me in regard to a female retriever 
and a spaniel, both of which became enamoured with 
terrier-dogs. 
Mr. Cupples informs me that he can personally vouch 
for the accuracy of the following more remarkable case, 
in which a valuable and wonderfully-intelligent female 
terrier loved a retriever, belonging to a neighbour, to 
such a degree that she had often to be dragged away 
from him. After their permanent separation, although 
repeatedly shewing milk in her teats, she would never 
acknowledge the courtship of any other dog, and to the 
regret of her owner, never bore puppies. Mr. Cupples 
also states that a female deerhound now (1868) in his 
kennel has thrice produced puppies, and on each 
occasion shewed a marked preference for one of the 
largest and handsomest, but not the most eager, of four 
deer-hounds living with her, all in the prime of life. 
Mr. Cupples has observed that the female generally 
favours a dog whom she has associated with and 
knows ; her shyness and timidity at first incline her 
against a strange dog. The male, on the contrary, 
seems rather inclined towards strange females. It 
appears to be rare when the male refuses any par- 
ticular female, but Mr. Wright, of Teldersley House, 
‘ Dogs : their Management/ by E. Mayhew, M.R.C. V.S., 2nd edit. 
1864, p. 187-192. 
Quoted by Alex. Walker ‘On Intermarriage,’ 1838, p. 276; see 
also p. 244. 
