134 BRITISH DOGS 



charms is his expression and a light-eyed Borzoi cannot have this 

 desired expression to any great degree ! 



The predominating colour is white, with or without fawn, lemon, 

 grey, brindle, blue, or black markings, too much of the last colour 

 being considered a detriment. There are also self-, or whole-coloured 

 dogs ; but these, unless especially good in other points, generally 

 find themselves handicapped in the show-ring. There are, of course, 

 exceptions, Champion Velasquez, for instance, being a handsome 

 whole-coloured brindle. 



To the intending purchaser, if a novice, the following hints on 

 purchasing may be helpful. Do not be satisfied with particulars of 

 measurements sent to you in writing; one person may, according 

 to his own ideas, make a dog's head from one to two inches longer 

 than it actually is, and three inches difference between the actual 

 and reputed height at shoulder is no uncommon thing. The 

 writer has often had particulars sent of measurements that put 

 the dimensions of the champion dogs of the day to shame ; but 

 when the dog itself arrived, there was always a difficulty in 

 getting the measurements to agree with those of the vendor. If 

 you have no friend who understands the breed, place yourself in 

 the hands of a breeder of repute, pay a fair price, and you will 

 get fair value. 



In selecting a puppy, choose the one with the longest head, 

 biggest bone, smallest ears, and longest tail. If you can get all 

 these qualities combined, so much the better. As regards coat, it 

 is preferable to be guided by those of the parents, if possible ; a 

 puppy may carry a splendid coat, but after casting this, may never 

 grow a good one. Some dogs never grow a long coat, containing, 

 as they do, much of the blood of the wavy and less profuse coated 

 strain. 



The colour will not be found to vary much in the puppy and 

 adult dog. Some brindle or mouse-coloured markings change to 

 fawn when the puppy coat is cast ; but in this case the hair is 

 generally of the shade it will ultimately attain at the roots. A 

 healthy puppy at three months should measure from ipin. to 21 in. 

 at shoulder, at six months about 25in., and at nine months from 

 2yin. to 29in., and should continue to grow up to fifteen or eighteen 

 months old. The above is only intended as a rough guide, and 

 may be exceeded. On the contrary, from many causes distemper, 

 worms, inattention, etc. such measurements may never be attained. 

 Generally speaking, a Borzoi is in his prime when three years of 

 age, as he continues to deepen in chest and otherwise fill out 

 until then. On the other hand, some get coarse in head after their 

 second or third year. 



As regards price, a puppy, say eight weeks old, should be 

 had for ^5 to ;io. It is unwise to give more, as it is almost 



