THE LURCHER.

Although this dog is not used by the fair sportsman in this country, yet he must be recognised as a distinct and well-known cross. From his great speed, combined with his good nose and his silence, he is par excellence the poacher's dog; but he is very little better than the pure-bred greyhound accustomed to the same kind of work, and with the same amount of practice. I have known a great many greyhounds which would never miss a hare if once sighted, or even put on the fresh scent, dropping their noses, and hunting out all the turns of the hare nearly as well as the beagle. Hence it is not to be supposed that the nose of the lurcher is derived from the sheep-dog's side only, for both being good, he may be readily said to owe it to each in due proportions. When the lurcher is bred from the rough Scotch greyhound and the colley, or even the English sheep-dog, he is a very handsome dog, and even more so than either of his progenitors when pure. He is also a most destructive animal, showing speed, sagacity, and nose in an extraordinary degree, from which causes the breed is discouraged, as he would exterminate all the furred game in a very short time. A poacher possessing such an animal seldom keeps him long, every keeper being on the look out, and putting a charge of shot into him on the first opportunity; and as these must occur of necessity, the poacher does not often attempt to rear the dog which would suit him best, but contents himself with one

which will not so much attract the notice of those who watch him.

It is needless to describe the points of the lurcher, further than to remark that he partakes of those of the greyhound in shape, combined with the stouter frame, larger ears, and rougher coat of the sheep-dog, but varying according to the breed of each employed in producing the cross. Formerly these lurchers were invariably deprived of their tails, in order to pass muster as sheep-dogs, and some are still thus cropped; but as hundreds of these farmer's friends are now suffered to enjoy their full proportions, the lurcher, when he does exist, is also full-tailed. The colour varies greatly, and may be any one of those belonging to either of the breeds. from which he springs.

THE DROPPER.

This is a cross of the pointer with the setter, which at one time was supposed to be superior to either, but is now seldom met with ; for, though the individual is useful enough, he is not ornamental, and has the inconvenience of being unfitted for breeding purposes, the second cross being invariably a failure.

A Dog and Fox crossed Bitch, the property of - Hewer, Esq., of Reading.

It is now generally admitted that the dog and fox will breed together, but so little is known with certainty of the resulting produce that it is scarcely desirable to attempt a minute description. Still it will be perhaps interesting to allude to the best authenticated specimen within my knowledge, which is now the property of Mr. Hewer, of Reading. She is a daughter of the first

cross, which was described by Mr. Tomlin in "Bell's Life" in the year 1855, and is by an ordinary terrier dog.

Letter by R. Tomlin, Esq., on the subject of the Dog and Fox

6

Cross.

"MR. EDITOR,-As your 'Life' is the only 'Old Curiosity Shop' for the reception of fancy articles,' I venture to forward you one respecting the fox and dog cross, and, although somewhat out of season, it may, perhaps, prove interesting to the sportsman and the naturalist. In 1853 various accounts appeared in 'Bell's Life in London' of the fox and dog cross, the fact being established by a gentleman of Kent, who then possessed a vulpo-canine bitch which had produce by a dog (vide 'Bell's Life,' Dec. 1853 and Feb. 1854). This bitch (half fox, half dog), now in my possession, had produce in the month of February last by a terrier dog. The produce are two dog-whelps and three bitches, some of which were (to ease the dam) suckled by a cur bitch. Two of the litter prove in nature shy as a fox; three of them dog-like in appearance, colour, and perfectly quiet, and follow well at heel. Still, they have the real fox-muzzle and 'fox-action,' about which (to those who have well studied it in the hunting-field) there exists but little mistake. Many there are who doubt the existence of any such animal as that between fox and dog. I am, however, in perfect condition to prove (by the living articles themselves) that the fox is merely a separate species of the genus dog, and intercopulates with the bitch, producing not a hybrid or mule animal, but one which will propagate its species to the very end of the chapter.-Yours, &c.

"Peterborough, June, 1855."

ROBERT TOMLIN.

The following letter, sent by Mr. Tomlin to the above paper in 1857, refers to this particular bitch which formed one of the litter therein mentioned :

Second Letter on the above Subject.

“MR. EDITOR,—In 1855 you were good enough to describe in 'Bell's Life' some history of a vulpo-canine bitch in my possession at Peterborough which had bred whelps, and as you are at this period of the year for the fox and nothing but the fox,' perhaps you can spare a niche in your fancy columns' for a subject that may not be considered out of season. The vulpo-canine vixen is now, like all the fox genus, in full coat, and a beautiful-looking animal, higher on the leg than our common foxes, with more frame and size, and looks like going a slapping pace, and carries that unmistakable odour which accompanies the beast of stinking flight.' She bred a litter of whelps in the spring of the years 1855 and 1856 (got by a 'lion-tawny-'coloured terrier dog), and goes on heat' only at one regular period. Her produce are endued more or less with the natural shyness and timidity of the vulpine species, and which it appears somewhat difficult to remove. The formation of their heads is faultless-long, and punishing-in fact, the appearance of these animals resembles terrier dogs, with the perfect head and countenance, back, body, and feet of the fox. The vulpocanine bitch is now suckling four whelps (got by a good white terrier dog), and as their colours are likewise good--white with black and pied ear-patches-it is likely to prove a better cross of its sort than the two former litters of whelps which the bitch reared, they being all of foxy, wild, dark-looking colours; and, as the terrier dog which got them was somewhat wicked and crafty in nature, I am now inclined to think that, 'as like begets like,' he was not altogether a suitable partner for the vulpo-canine bitch-an animal but one remove from the veritable fox itself,' as wild, too, as the wildest fox which ever broke away in a state of nature from any 'evergreen gorse covert,' with a pack of hounds in pursuit, all eager for the fray. Yours, &c.

"Dane Court, Isle of Thanet, January, 1857."

ROBERT TOMLIN.