The Italian Greyhound. 439 



with honours. Unexceptionally good as she was, I am of opinion that a 

 small lovely dove-coloured specimen of Mr. Bruce' s, the name of which 

 I am uncertain, is all over quite as good as Molly was, and it is quite 

 certain that competitors now are much superior as a whole to those 

 Molly had to meet in her time. 



The Italian greyhound is a diminutive of the gallant coursing breed ; 

 but whereas, in the latter we look not only for beauty of outline, but 

 also insist on strength, as shown in great muscular development, in the 

 former we are satisfied with elegance, if there is but sufficient vitality 

 to give activity and playfulness. In play, the graceful movements of the 

 Italian greyhound are seen to perfection, their attitudes being strikingly 

 beautiful ; in their ordinary walk they have a mincing gait, varied by 

 more spirited motions, prancing like a high stepping and restive horse. 



The weight of the Italian greyhound for show purposes should not 

 exceed 71b., and those between 41b. and 51b. are preferred. 



One of the greatest defects met with in this breed is the high forehead 

 and prominent skull, introduced, probably, by resorting to a oross with 

 the apple-headed toy terrier in the desire to reduce the size. The head 

 should be flat in the skull, long, and gradually tapering to the point of 

 the muzzle. 



The eyes should be rather large, and with a languishing expression. 

 This dog is of a very loving disposition, showing strong affection to its 

 owner. Eyes too full and watery are not uncommon, and are a great 

 blemish. 



The ears should be small and thin in texture, carried A la greyhound. 



The neck must be long, thin, and supple. 



The coat should be remarkably fine, soft, short, and silky. The colours 

 are various, and all very beautiful, red fawn, golden fawn, blue fawn, 

 dove colour, lavender, cream colour, white with dark points, blue, and 

 parti-coloured. The latter is not generally admired, yet there is a fawn 

 and white, shown by Mr. Bruoe, which I consider very handsome ; 

 brindle I do not remember to have seen. 



The question of colour must always be one of individual taste, but 

 self colours are preferred, and the chief consideration is to have them 

 decided and rich. 



