DOGS. 705 



close inspection. The eyes are keen, expressive, small, and generally of dark color, either 

 black or brown, as are the nose and palate. The ears are of good size, that is, about three 

 inches long, clothed thickly with hair, which should mingle with that of the face and neck, 

 and decidedly falling, but not quite close to the cheek, owing to the quantity of hair by which 

 they are surrounded. The shape of the head is not easily got at, but it is somewhat wide, 

 while the neck is unusually long. The body, also, is too much coated to show its shape, and 

 the form of the shoulders and back ribs can only be ascertained by handling, or by dipping 

 the dog in water, when the shape at once becomes apparent. The fore legs are sometimes 

 more or less bandy, but the less the better; there are no dew claws, and the feet are not very 

 strong, having a tendency to flatness and thinness of the soles. Tail long, and carried 

 horizontally, but with a sweep, so that the tip is a little below the level of the back. Weight, 

 from ten to eighteen pounds, the bitches being nearly as heavy as the dogs perhaps about 

 two pounds less. The colors most fancied are silver gray with black tips, fawn with dark 

 brown tip to the ears and tail, dark slaty blue (slightly grizzled, but without any absolute 

 admixture of white), black and pure fawn the order we have named being in accordance 

 with the value of each. The hair should be long, straight, and shining, like that of the tail 

 of the horse; any appearance of silkiness, wooliness, or curl to be avoided, excepting on the 

 top of the head, where it has a slight tendency to silkiness. By some fanciers the prick-ear 

 is preferred to the drop, the strains in which this point is shown being stronger in the body, 

 and hardier in constitution and courage. The prick-ear should stand up well, and terminate 

 in a fine tuft of hair coming to a decided point.&quot; 



There is probably no better Terrier for the destruction of small game and vermin than 

 the short-haired variety, as they are sagacious, hardy, energetic, and courageous, and will 

 plunge into the coldest water in pursuit of game, manifesting the greatest persistence in secur 

 ing it. Aside from being a game dog, the Skye makes a most useful watch-dog for dwellings 

 at night, always being on the alert to give the warning if there is anything going wrong. 

 They are also very companionable and pleasant in disposition. 



The Yorkshire Terrier. This is another of the Scotch Terrier family. It has a 

 compact, well-formed body covered with long, straight hair. The head is rather large for 

 the body, and the nose sharp. The most desirable of these dogs have three different shades 

 of color, blue, silver, and tan; the tan on the fluff of the head, ears, and legs being of a very 

 rich shade. There is a variety known as tne blue-tan Yorkshire, or silk-coated Terrier, 

 which have a coat of a rich blue-tan color that is exceedingly long, silky, and smooth. This 

 is supposed to be produced by a Maltese cross, and is a modern variety somewhat rare. 



The Maltese Terrier. This is a favorite toy dog, and is a complete mass of long, 

 silky hair, the hair being so compact and long as to disguise the outline of the animal. Pure 

 bred dogs of this breed are pure white in color, with a tendency in the hair to curl. 



The Italian Greyhound. These are probably the most elegant and delicate of 

 house dogs. They resemble the English Greyhound in all respects except size, being a per 

 fect miniature of that breed. It is bred in Italy and Spain in great perfection, the warmth 

 of the climate agreeing with its constitution most admirably, as it is very sensitive to the 

 cold. It is bred principally for a toy dog, although it will sometimes catch small game in 

 warm weather. The size most preferred is when the weight is about six or eight pounds. 

 They are deficient in courage, and so sensitive to the cold, that in a cold climate they must 

 not only be well housed, but should be protected with a blanket when out of doors in cold 

 weather. The colors most desired are fawn, blue, or black. 



The Poodle. This is an exceedingly interesting pet, it being very intelligent, and 

 therefore admirably adapted to being taught a large number of tricks. For this reason, show 

 men who exhibit educated dogs, generally depend upon the Poodle for the performance of 



