370 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



not at all sharp; eyes of yellow color; ears small, placed 

 well up on the head; face covered with very short hair. 



Neck. Should be only moderately long and with a firm, 

 strong appearance. 



Shoulders and chest. Shoulders should have full lib- 

 erty, with plenty of show for power and no tendency to 

 restriction of movement; chest strong and deep. 



Back quarters and stifles. Should show fully as much, 

 if not more, power than fore quarters, and be capable of 

 standing prolonged strains. Any tendency to weakness 

 must be avoided. Ducking on the broad waters of the 

 Chesapeake Bay involves, at times, facing a heavy tide and 

 sea; and in cases of following wounded fowls, a dog is fre- 

 quently subjected to a long swim. 



Legs, elbows, liocks, and feet. Legs should be short, 

 showing both bone and muscle, and with well-webbed feet 

 of good size; fore legs rather straight and symmetrical. It 

 is to be understood that short legs do not convey the idea 

 of a dumpy formation. Elbows well let down and set 

 straight, for development of easy movement. 



Stern. Should be stout, somewhat long the straighter 

 the better and showing only moderate feather. 



Symmetry and quality. The Chesapeake Bay Dog 

 should show a bright, lively, intelligent expression, with 

 general outlines good at all points; in fact, a dog worthy of 

 notice in any company. 



Coat and texture. Short and thick, somewhat coarse, 

 with tendency to wave over shoulders, back, and loins, 

 where it is longest nowhere over one and a quarter to one 

 and a half inches long; that on flanks, legs, and belly 

 shorter, tapering to quite short near the feet. Under all this 

 is a short woolly fur, which should well cover the skin, and 

 can readily be observed by pressing aside the outer coat. 

 This coat preserves the dog from the effects of the wet and 

 cold, and enables him to stand severe exposure; a shake or 

 two throws off all water, and it is conducive to speed in 

 swimming. 



Color. -- Nearly resembling wet sedge-grass, though 



