Which breed was cross-bred into early Whippets, leading to a temporary rough-coated variety?
Answer
Bedlington Terriers
Early in the refinement process for the Whippet, intentional crossbreeding occurred which involved the Bedlington Terrier. This specific introduction of genetics resulted in a rough-coated variety of the dog, which was sometimes locally known as a 'rabbit dog'. This historical divergence showcases that even within the *C. l. familiaris* subspecies, temporary, function-driven variations arose. Although this rough-coated type did not persist to become part of the standard smooth-coated Whippet recognized today, it marks a specific moment in the breed's functional evolution.

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