Page 40 - Dog

Development of breeds

Many breeds of dogs are hundreds of years
old, such as spaniels, greyhounds, and terriers,
but a new breed can be developed at any time by “YE OLDE MIMICKE DOGGE”
In the late 1500s there was an
crossing two or more different breeds. The imaginary beast called a “Mimicke
Sealyham terrier is one example of a new breed of Dogge.” Some people thought it
Elegant lurcher probably had a shaggy coat and was
shows typical terrier (pp. 52–53) that was developed in the good at performing tricks like a
bone structure 1800s in Sealyham, Wales. It is also possible to poodle; others thought it had an
of a dog “ape’s wit and a hedgehog’s face.”
reconstitute, or “remake,” a breed that has
become extinct. For example, the Irish wolfhound, which
died out about a hundred years ago, was reconstituted as
a new line from a cross of Great Danes, deerhounds, and
mastiffs (pp. 48–49). Prior to the first dog show in
England in 1859, there was considerable variation in
the size, shape, and color of dogs within a single breed.
Today, however, the dogs within one breed all look very
similar because of the required standards for showing.
Standardizing can be harmful to breeds, as the dogs
lose their individual characteristics. It can also lead
to inherited ailments and is why German shepherds
are prone to dislocated hips.

The turned-up
corners of the
mouth make this
lurcher look as if
it is smiling

IT’S RAINING CATS, DOGS, AND PITCHFORKS
This old English saying may be based on the ancient Chinese
spirits for rain and wind, which were sometimes depicted as a cat
and a dog. Here, the English caricaturist George Cruikshank
(1792–1878) offers his interpretation.

Lurcher
SECRET SYMBOLS
American “kings of the road” – tramps, or
hobos – used secret signs to let their
friends know whether there was a
dog (left), or a bad dog (below),
Dog on a stranger’s property. Wedgwood majolica
(highly glazed
earthenware) punch
bowl, decorated with
Bad dog puppet Punch and his
clown-dog Toby

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(c) 2011 Dorling Kindersley. All Rights Reserved.