422 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



Eyes. A dark hazel-color, small, not prominent, and 

 full of life, fire, and intelligence. 



Ears. When uncut, small and Y-shaped, of moderate 

 thickness, set well up on head and dropping forward 

 closely to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and 

 the hair thereon shorter and generally darker in color than 

 the body. 



Neck. Should be of a fair length, and gradually widen- 

 ing toward the shoulders, well carried, and free of throati- 

 ness. There is generally a slight sort of frill visible at each 

 side of the neck, running nearly to the corner of the ear, 

 which is looked on as very characteristic. 



Shoulders and chest. Shoulders must be fine, long, and 

 sloping well into the back; the chest deep and muscular, 

 but neither full nor wide. 



Back and loin. Body moderately long; back should be 

 strong and straight, with no appearance of slackness 

 behind the shoulders; the loin broad and powerful, and 

 slightly arched; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, 

 and well ribbed back. 



Hind quarters. Well under the dog; should be strong 

 and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, 

 stifles not much bent. 



Stern. Generally docked; should be free of fringe or 

 feather, set on pretty high, carried gaily, but not over the 

 back or curled . 



Feet and legs. Feet should be strong, tolerably round, 

 and moderately small; toes arched, and neither turned out 

 nor in; black toe-nails are preferable and most desirable. 

 Legs moderately long, well set from the shoulders, perfectly 

 straight, with plenty of bone and muscle; the elbows work- 

 ing freely clear of the sides, pasterns short and straight, 

 hardly noticeable. Both fore and hind legs should be 

 moved straight forward when traveling, the stifles not 

 turned outward, the legs free of feather, and covered, like 

 the head, with as hard a texture of coat as body, but not 

 so loni. 



Coat. Hard and wiry, free of softness or silkiness, not 



