370 British Dogs. 



cropping will have a poor chance in the show ring, for undoubtedly 

 cropping gives character and smartness of appearance. 



" Neck. Should be of a fair length and gradually widening towards 

 the shoulders, well carried, and free of throatiness. 



" Shoulders and chest. Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well 

 into the back, the chest deep and muscular but not broad. 



" Back and loin. The back should be strong and straight, with no 

 appearance of slackness behind the shoulders ; the loin broad and 

 powerful and slightly arched ; ribs well sprung and well ribbed back. 



" The hind quarters. Well under the dog, should be strong and 

 muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles not much 

 bent. 



" Stern. Generally cut, 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 and round and moderately 

 small, toes arched, and neither turned out nor in ; black toe-nails 

 are preferable, but of little value over light ones. A much greater 

 objection is white toes ; once white toes are thoroughly got rid of, there 

 will be very few light coloured toenails ; legs moderately long, with 

 plenty of bone and muscle, must be straight viewed from all directions, 

 the elbows working freely just clear of the side ; pasterns short and 

 straight, hardly noticeable ; both fore and hind legs should be moved 

 straight forward when travelling, the stifles not turned outwards, the legs 

 free of feather and covered, like the head, with as hard texture of coat 

 as body, but not so long. 



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

 perfectly straight and flat, no shagginess, and free of waviness, lock, or 

 curl ; the hair on head and legs is shorter than on body, but must be 

 hard and wiry. 



"Colour. Must be 'whole coloured,' the most preferable being 

 bright red, next yellow, grey, or wheaten ; white very objectionable on 

 either chest or feet, in fact much white is a disqualifying point. 



" Size and symmetry. Weight, in show condition, from 161b. to 

 241b., but in a short time we hope to see the largest reduced to under 

 221b., which is a nice, stylish, and useful size ; the dog must present a gay, 

 lively, and active appearance, lots of substance, at same time free of 

 clumsiness, as speed and endurance as well as power are very essential. 



