Canis lupus hominis

Harding Cox's Ch. True Token

I will go into a hare
with sorrow and sighing and mickle care,
and I will go in the Devil’s name,
aye ’til I be fetched hame
– Hare, take heed of a bitch greyhound
will harry thee all these fells around
for here come I in Our Lady’s name
all but for to fetch thee hame

–Robert Graves, “The Allansford Pursuit” (which is based upon a shape-shifting incantation of Isobel Gowdie, a seventeenth century Scottish witch)

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Harding Cox was a prolific dog fancier. Although most of his expertise and most of what will be mentioned on this blog about him relate to his interest in flat-coated retrievers, he was in other breeds. It was not unusual for dog fanciers to have dozens of dogs of several breeds, which they actively campaigned at shows.  In those days, dog fanciers with money really could drive the destiny of whole populations of dogs within the fancy. He was a founding member of the Fox Terrier Club and the Bulldog Club– breeds he later critiqued. He also showed greyhounds and cocker and Clumber spaniels.

He wasvery active in field sports, including shooting and hunting– and yes, the dogs were participants in those activities.

Ch. True Token was no exception. She was an active coursing greyhound that also had a show championship.

She is described in Herbert Compton’s The Twentieth Century Dog (1904):

Ch. True Token, the property of Mr. Harding Cox, was bred by Mr. Tom Wright, by Penigant out of Brilliant Beauty. She was a brindle bitch, weighing 61 pounds.  Her owner describes her as a most remarkable greyhound, combining great merit in the coursing field with almost ideal show-bench form, and only once led her to a hare (after having been run to a standstill in the previous course).  She was not only very fast, but could stay for ever. Only she was a bad killer. She won the Peterborough Cup and the All-aged Stakes at the Newmarket championship meeting, as well as other important trophies.  Her symmetry was lovely, and her quality wonderful. Exception has been taken to her flat-ribs; but to this she owed her great turn of speed, for she had tremendous depth through the brisket, wonderful staying powers, and lovely flush shoulders. She was very seldom exhibited at the show bench, but easily gained her championship title. Unfortunately, she was not a breeder, and has left now progeny behind her (p. 132-133).

So many show dogs were competent in doing their breed specific tasks.

There were no splits between show and field.

Today, a great breed chasm exists between bench greyhounds, racing greyhounds, and those that are used to course hares and coyotes.

In those days, a quality live coursing greyhound could win a show championship.

Of course, live coursing wasn’t so politically incorrect in those days.

Harding Cox was a truly remarkable dog man in that he could appreciate so many different breeds for what they were– and he could enjoy them for their peculiar talents.