Reputable breeders are against such cross-breeding for fear it will tar them with the same brush and lead to laws that outlaws breeding of any kind of fighting dog.

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"The concern is about untested evidence that will tend to tar Associated Newspapers with a broad brush, " he said.

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Furthermore, many Egyptians regard Mr Mubarak senior as too close to America and Israel, and would most likely tar his son with the same brush.

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