The Black Wavy-Coated Retriever. 161 



opposite direction ; and personally I think, as a point of beauty, there is 

 nothing to compare with a nice and regular wavy coat. 



In general appearance this dog in some degree resembles the New- 

 foundland, but is less in size, not so clumsily built, and altogether lighter 

 and more active looking ; and, not having so deep and shaggy a coat, he 

 shows himself built on finer lines. 



The head is, for his size, large and long, with a good development of 

 brain before the ear the muzzle is long and squarer than in the curly- 

 coated variety ; his capacious mouth should hold a set of large and white 

 teeth. 



The ears should be small and lie close to the head, set on well back 

 and low, quite free from fringe, but covered with soft silky hair. 



The eye large, dark in colour, mild in expression, and the haw never 

 exposed. 



The neck, although muscular, is longer than in the Labrador, and has 

 that more supple appearance and freer action meant to be expressed by 

 the term "airy." 



The shoulders should slope well, and be well clothed with muscle like 

 the forelegs, which latter should be straight and of moderate length, 

 giving an average at shoulder of 2 Sin. to 24in. 



The chest should be broad, but not to the extent of pushing out the 

 elbows from the straight line with the body, which would rob the dog of 

 his speed. 



The back, loins, and hind quarters should all be strong, in keeping with 

 the fore quarters, without positive heaviness, so that the dog may with ease 

 carry a hare a distance over rough ground, stone dykes, or field gates. 



The feet should be of moderate size, compact, and with good hard 

 soles, and the interstices between the toes protected with hair ; a splay 

 foot, with spreading toes, is very objectionable. 



The coat should be abundant and close, and long enough to fall in 

 gentle and regular waves, which is preferable to a perfectly flat coat. The 

 colour should be a jet glossy black, and quite free from tan, brindled, or 

 white markings, but as I do not think there are many dogs whelped with- 

 out more or less white hairs onHhe chest, it is better, in my opinion, not 

 to allow a trifle of that kind to weigh for so much as to offer an induce- 

 ment to plucking. 



The stern should be strong and gaily carried, but not curled over the 



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