298 Modern Dogs. 



the tip, when excited, being in a perpendicular line 

 with the root of the tail. It should neither be set on 

 too high or too low. When not excited it is carried 

 gaily, and a little above the level of the body. 



Legs. The fore legs short, with immense 

 muscular development and bone, set wide apart, the 

 chest coming well down between them. The feet 

 well formed, and not flat, with very strong brown or 

 dark-coloured claws. Bandy legs and flat feet are 

 objectionable, but may be avoided the bandy legs 

 by the use of splints when first noticed, and the flat 

 feet by exercise, and a dry bed and floor to kennel. 

 The hair on the fore legs and feet of a blue dog 

 should be tan, varying according to the body colour, 

 from a rich tan to a pale fawn ; of a mustard dog 

 they are of a darker shade than its head, which is a 

 creamy white. In both colours there is a nice 

 feather, about 2in. long, rather lighter in colour than 

 the hair on the fore part of the leg. The hind legs 

 are a little longer than the fore ones, and are set 

 rather wide apart, but not spread out in an unnatural 

 manner, while the feet are much smaller ; the thighs 

 are well developed, and the hair of the same colour 

 and texture as the fore ones, but having no feather 

 or dewclaws ; the whole claws should be dark, but 

 the claws of all vary in shade according to the colour 

 of the dog's body. 



