Page 23 - THE SLOUGHI REVIEW - ISSUE 13

T H E S L O U G H I R E V I E W 2 3

Originally, however, the Greyhound was of the Galgo Español type, which is an enduring,
fast runner (see Sloughi Review No.9). The third Earl of Orford founded the Swaffham
Society, the first public coursing club, in 1776. He crossed an Olde English Bulldogge to
give the Greyhound more power for the fast sprint in dog races [11].

From left to right: 1st cross, 2nd cross, 3rd cross, 4th cross in generations.
Olde English Bulldogge x Greyhound, early 18th century.

Historically, crosses between dogs of different types were more accepted at a time when
there were no modern purebred selected breeds (based on the principles of eugenics).

Such crosses were made to combine the characteristics of two different types in one dog
or to perfect an already established type of dog, always for working purposes. As an
example, consider the famous case of Lord Orford's Greyhounds, which were improved in
certain ways by crossing with Olde English Bulldogges*, and after six generations
achieved the desired result. The Greyhound went from being an enduring type of
sighthound to a fast sprinter. With the success of Lord Orford's dogs in the Swaffham

Society competitions, this practice was adopted by other Greyhound breeders and
became more widespread [12].

Other historical examples are the Bull Terrier (cross between Olde English Bulldogge and
Terrier) and crosses between Foxhounds and Old Spanish Pointer, which later gave rise to
the English Pointer.

We see here that historically crossbreeding of dogs to improve traits in certain ways was
quite common, whether successful or not. For a modern idea of breed, the “pure breed”,
i.e. the “purity” of the standards of the Kennel Clubs, the principles of eugenics are
applied, which was established in the late 19th century by representatives of a group of
Englishmen [13].

*Author’s note: The Olde English Bulldogge died out, it does not exist any more. But apparently there is a
modern breed, coming from America, which has the same breed name.