88 BRITISH DOGS 



The general form and character of the head is here pretty fairly 

 sketched, and we see a very close agreement between these old 

 authorities. The " Mayster of Game" seems the happiest in his 

 illustration, "made in the manner of a luce" that is, a fullgrown 

 pike as the heads of the Greyhound and pike will bear a fair 

 comparison without straining ; and who can say it was not the 

 exigencies of rhyme that compelled our sporting Abbess to set up 

 for us that stumbling-block, the head of a snake ? Or was it that 

 she thought of the very fair illustration that the neck of the drake 

 offered her, and had to find a rhyme to it ? 



Markham is right in desiring a " long leane head," though even 

 that may be carried to a fault ; but we do not want the " part 

 beneath the forehead protuberant of muscle," or the " heavy-headed, 

 with thick nostrils and a blunt nose." Looking at the whole head, 

 we see by the sloping in of the side walls of the skull how the brain 

 capacity is diminished, and how the elongation and narrowing of 

 head and jaws have almost obliterated the olfactory organs, the 

 internal cavities becoming contracted, and presenting so much less 

 surface that the scenting powers are necessarily limited, although it 

 is a mistake to suppose that they are entirely lost. This is just what 

 we want in the Greyhound : he must run by sight, never using his 

 nose ; he must have the brain developed where it shows courage, 

 not intelligence. A Greyhound should measure well round the 

 head by the ears, which is a sure indication of the courage that 

 gives dash and persistence to his efforts. 



If by " hooked nose " Arrian meant that the upper jaw protrudes, 

 then that would decidedly be a fault, as a dog so formed would be at 

 a disadvantage in holding and killing his hare. This formation, called 

 overshot, or pig-jawed, is met with in various breeds of dogs, but 

 if at all excessive is most objectionable. The opposite to that is 

 sometimes seen, and we have them undershot, though such cases 

 are comparatively rare, and are oftener met with on the show-bench 

 Greyhound than in the courser. They owe their origin to the cross 

 with the Bulldog, which was resorted to in order to give stamina, 

 courage, and staunchness. The form to be desired is the level 

 mouth, with the " good sessours, the one again the other." 



There is a formation of muzzle met with which is slightly ridged 

 or Roman-nosed ; if not excessive, this is no detriment to the 

 dog's practical usefulness, although it may not add to the beauty 

 of his appearance. This peculiarity may exist with a good level 

 mouth. 



The teeth themselves are important, and should be large, strong, 

 and white, the fangs sharp and powerful the upper ones just 

 overlapping those in the lower jaw ; this is not only necessary for 

 their work, but is indicative of health. 



" The eye" Arrian says, "should be large, upraised, clear, and 



