The Shire didn't really have any special protrections, just remoteness and a band of Rangers looking after the borders. Of course, these would eventually fade as the Reunited Kingdom passed away (eventually) and other populations (mainly human) increased.

As for Hobbits, they are generally uncomfortable around humans, with the obvious exception of the Bree-land ones. The Prologue to LotR mentions that Hobbits and Humans have undergone estrangement though, and the first chapter of The Hobbit makes mention of their timidity around humans. Granted, it is possible that these references to latter-day Hobbits are relevant to only a portion of the original population, but I can think of no evidence for interbreeding. I can think of even less to suggest that the xenophobic Dwarves engaged in any significant interbreeding. I bow to your knowledge about breeding and concede that it is theoretically possible, however.

It's a bit depressing, but I think that the Hobbits and Dwarves merely dwindled and possibly died out, though perhaps there are still a few hiding out somewhere....

That's just too depressing for me Eldorion. I much prefer to think that moderns are intermixed. Just look at Susan Boyle and Colm Meaney, if they're not part Hobbit I'll eat my hat .

GB

It definitely is depressing, I agree. Though it doesn't outdo The Silmarillion for depressing to me.

Hobbits are fewer, yes, and shy of the Big Folk. Logic dictates they live in remote quiet places, but they exist still - T said so. I can't believe they've died out since the Red Book became known and revealed by the Great Historian.

As to T's knowledge, I believe he must have known Hobbits in person. But being the honorable Gentleman he was, never directly let on he had met any. It seems obvious he met descendants of the Fairbairns, at least!

I don't believe Hobbits intermingled with Humans (or Dwarves neither). They continue to exist like they have always done since time out of mind, it's just Scientific Folk can't broaden the mind far enough to even begin to think to look for them (which is just as well!)


Regards,
Odo

Well I'm pretty sure I'm part Hobbit . Like I said, maybe the other Hobbits went into hiding, but the Bree Folk mingled--hence all the Hobbity looking folk from the British Isles and Ireland.

GB

GB

I don't know, I can't believe Hobbits are related genetically to Homo Sapiens - and if you can show me your genealogy, that might help prove your case. Maybe you are a descendant of intermarrying Bree-folk, but if true, a lot of Hobbits will be shocked to hear it.

Odo

Our closest genetic cousins the chimps share 97.8% of our genes, not quite enough to interbreed. But Elves, Dwarfs and Hobbits are so much like humans, it seems obvious to me that the barriers are social, not genetic. And so many Brits and Irish look like Hobbits, it's hard for me to believe we aren't related .

One of our cousins did a genealogical search years ago, but only got as far back as Ann Boleyn, which presents it's own curiosities .

But if I discover a family tree dating back to the 4th age, I'll let you know.

GB

GB,

Good luck with all that. If we could nail down just when 'time out of mind' was, we might at least take a step in the right direction. I assume that this was when the FA was.

Odo

Humans and Elves are apparently the same species since they can interbreed and have fertile offspring (Dior, Earendil); and it is stated that Hobbits and Dwarves are even closer relatives in the Prologue. So the descriptor "race" (or perhaps subspecies) seems fairly accurate to describe them.

I'm still not convinced that the intermingling actually happened though.

Well it is all just a fictional "conceit", right?

GB