English Pouter

Lore & Background

The English Pouter is a breed of fancy pigeon developed over many years of selective breeding. Along with other domesticated pigeons, it descends from the rock pigeon. Its distinctiveness was noted by Charles Darwin in his 1868 work *The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication*.

William Bernhardt Tegetmeier proposed that the English Pouter originated from cross breeding the old pigeon breeds the Dutch Cropper, Uploper, and the Parisian pouter, each described in works from the 17th century. However, an earlier account by John Moore suggested the breed resulted from cross breeding between a type of cropper and horseman, both 18th-century pigeon types. Historically, the English Pouter was also called the Pouting Horseman due to links with the Horseman breed. Modern cropper breeds, such as the Norwich Cropper, originate from the English Pouter.

Reader's Guide

The English Pouter holds significance as a distinct fancy pigeon breed, recognized by Charles Darwin as 'perhaps the most distinct of all domesticated pigeons.' Its development through selective breeding illustrates the human practice of shaping animal traits over generations. The breed's history involves competing origin theories: William Bernhardt Tegetmeier traced it to 17th-century breeds (Dutch Cropper, Uploper, Parisian pouter), while John Moore earlier linked it to 18th-century cropper and horseman types. This uncertainty reflects the complexity of breed histories. The English Pouter's legacy includes being the ancestor of modern cropper breeds like the Norwich Cropper. Its enlarged crop and large body make it a notable example of fancy pigeon diversity. The breed's mention in Darwin's work underscores its role in the study of variation under domestication.

Did You Know?

• William Bernhardt Tegetmeier proposed the breed originated from cross breeding the Dutch Cropper, Uploper, and Parisian pouter.
• The English Pouter was historically also called the Pouting Horseman.