Bastard of the dog and the fox

Sir Thomas Browne (1605–1682) was an English physician, scholar, and author known for his diverse works on religion, science, philosophy, and nature. He was renowned for his poetic and elegant writing style and the profound insight in his works.

One of his most famous works is Pseudodoxia Epidemica (1646), also known as Vulgar Errors. In this work, he examines common misconceptions and myths of his time, attempting to correct them through reasoning and scientific observation.

Among other topics, he discusses the notion that the Icelandic dog, which was imported to Britain and valued both as a working dog and a family pet, could be a hybrid between a dog and a fox ("Bastard of the dog and the fox").

He rejected this idea, pointing out that, despite their similar appearance, dogs and foxes are biologically incompatible.

Picture: Plinius, 1565