40 
GREYHOUNDS. 
a particular purpose, but if that purpose can be attained by 
any other blood there can be no question as to the propriety 
of avoiding the risk of deterioration. Speed and size are 
both so desirable that it is worth while to sacrifice something 
in order to attain them, and we see them often displayed in 
a remarkable manner in kennels which are much confined to 
their own cross of blood ; as, for instance, in that of Lord 
Stradbrooke. As good examples of success in breeding 
4 once in , 5 as it is termed, the celebrated litters lately bred 
by Mr Brown and Mr. Jardine may be adduced — in both of 
which the King Cob blood existed in the sire as well as the 
dam — Figaro and Bessy Bedlam being by him, as well as 
Tollwife, whilst Sam is by Traveller out of Tippitywitchet, 
by King Cob. These greyhounds are almost all similar in 
their characteristics to their renoAvned progenitor, and may 
certainly be considered as instances of a 4 hit . 5 But, though 
all first-class greyhounds, they have shown less stoutness 
than is desirable, especially the Bedlamite, Bedlam Lass, 
&c., litter, which, if as stout and honest as they are fast and 
clever, would be almost invincible. It may, therefore, be 
assumed that Ave are justified in expecting success from 
breeding 4 once in , 5 Avhen our object is to attain speed, 
working qualities, or size ; but that to procure the necessary 
adjunct of stoutness, we must apply to some fresh source, 
and the stouter that blood is, of course, the better. 
44 With regard to the age to breed from, it may be laid dow T n 
as a laAV that two young animals seldom produce so good a 
progeny as is the case Avhere one at least is of more mature 
years. The bitch should certainly not be less than two years 
old, and the dog not less than three, unless the bitch is four 
or five years old; but even then the practice is not to be 
recommended. Until lately it has been much the fashion to 
advocate the selection of very old stallion dogs as well as 
horses ; but experience has now led most breeders to prefer 
a younger animal, if perfectly mature ; and this I believe to 
be more particularly the case with the greyhound than with 
the horse, because the older a dog is the more tricks he learns, 
the more slack also he becomes, and the less likely is he to 
get stock possessing that fire which is the sine qua non of the 
public runner. 
jjc ^ jJc jJc 
44 The best time for the confluence of the sexes is when the 
usual term of nine days is just going off, say about the 
seventh day, and if possible again on the ninth, if she will 
then suffer the approach of the male. As soon as the bitch is 
able to take her usual exercise without fear of annoyance, 
