How did animal breeding emerge as a movement? Who took part and for what reasons? How do the pedigree and market systems work? What light might the movement shed on the assumptions behind human eugenics? In Bred for Perfection, Margaret Derry provides the most comprehensive and accessible book yet published on the human quest to improve and develop livestock. Derry, herself a breeder and trained historian of science, explores the "triangle" of genetics, eugenics, and practical breeding, focusing on Shorthorn cattle, show dogs and working dogs, and one type of purebred horse, the Arabian. By examining specific breeders and the animals they produced, she illuminates the role of technology, genetics, culture, and economics in the system of purebred breeding. Bred for Perfection also provides the historical context in which this system arose, adding to our understanding of how domestication works and how our welfare—since the dawn of time—has been intertwined with the lives of animals.

Excerpt from History of Shorthorn Cattle The object has been to place on record as many facts as could be obtained regarding the work of the early breeders, and the development of the breed throughout the wide regions where it is cultivated. No attempt has been made, or, indeed, could have been made, in a single volume of reasonable size to also furnish detailed accounts of existing herds or of those recently broken up. A good many of them have, however, been brie y alluded to, and a list of existing herds in the United Kingdom is also printed. For this purpose owners of herds were invited to fill up a brief form giving particulars as to their stock, and the list includes those who responded. But as references to herds of the present day can be obtained in contemporary publications, it was decided that the bulk of this book should deal chie y with breeders and herds that have become historic. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works."

Hardcover reprint of the original 1907 edition - beautifully bound in brown cloth covers featuring titles stamped in gold, 8vo - 6x9. No adjustments have been made to the original text, giving readers the full antiquarian experience. For quality purposes, all text and images are printed as black and white. This item is printed on demand. Book Information: Sinclair, James. History Of Shorthorn Cattle. Indiana: Repressed Publishing LLC, 2012. Original Publishing: Sinclair, James. History Of Shorthorn Cattle, . London: Vinton & Company, Ltd., 1907. Subject: Shorthorn Cattle