THE SMOOTH GREYHOUND. 41 



the bulldog was introduced, had a much smaller head than that 

 which is now seen ; and I also believe that some breeds at present 

 existing may be ascertained to be free from this cross, by their 

 small brain-cases ; but, still, none have the perfectly flat head of 

 the reptile in question. The tyro, therefore, who looks for a literal 

 interpretation of the first line of the rhyme will be disappointed. 

 My own belief is that a full development of brain gives courage 

 and sagacity, but leads to such a rapid acquirement of knowl- 

 edge relative to the wiles practised by the hare, as to make the 

 dog possessing it soon useless for anything but killing his game, 

 which he is often able to do with absolute certainty. Hence it is 

 important to bear this in mind, and to take care not to overdo this 

 characteristic. In all cases, the more the development is increased 

 behind the ears, the higher will be the courage ; and if this can be 

 obtained without a corresponding increase in the diameter in front 

 of those organs, there will be no attendant disadvantage, as the 

 intellectual faculties no doubt reside in the anterior part of the 

 brain. The best average measurement opposite the ear in dogs of 

 full size is about 15 inches, and for bitches, 14 or 14|. The jaw 

 should be very lean, and diminisliing suddenly from the head, not 

 gradually falling off in one uniform line. The teeth are of great 

 importance, as, unless they are strong and good, the hare cannot 

 be seized and held. They should be white, strong, and regular, 

 showing strength of constitution, as well as being useful in the 

 course. As a rule, the incisor teeth meet each other, but some dogs 

 are underhung like the bulldog, and others the reverse, like the 

 pig ; that is to say, one or other set of teeth overlaps those above 

 or below, as the case may be. The former is not of much conse- 

 quence, unless very much marked, when it diminishes the chance 

 of holding the hare ; but the latter is certainly prejudicial, and a 

 *' pig-jawed " greyhound should never be selected, though I have 

 known one or two good killers with this formation. The eye 

 should be bright and tolerably full, the color varying with that of 

 the coat. The ears are generally recommended to be soft and fall- 

 ing, and pricked ears are despised, as being terrier-like, but some 

 good breeds possess them, nevertheless, probably deriving them 



