THE FOXHOUND 



179 



whole head denote power. The neck should be long, clean, and mus- 

 cular, quite free from dewlap, except when such is characteristic of 

 a particular strain. The shoulders are very important ; they should be 

 nicely sloped, and free from any suspicion of being " loaded." It is 

 generally considered that to insure speed the elbows should be 

 perfectly straight in a line with the body. The chest should be 

 deep, ribs coming down well, giving a certain appearance of square- 



FIG. 48. THE FOXHOUND. 



ness ; the back and loins should be very strong and disclose to the 

 touch any amount of muscle ; the thighs should be full of power 

 and muscle. The legs should be straight as gun-barrels and the 

 bone great. A failure here is fatal : these legs have to carry a heavy 

 hound for many miles at a great pace over every sort of country, 

 consequently " legs " are the first thing at which a huntsman looks; 

 but bad feet will render good legs useless, so see that the feet are 

 round and compact, with a hard, firm pad and strong nails. The 

 stern should be thick at the root, gradually tapering, carried well up, 



