EYES — FAKING 



points, and the abandonment of others' which used to be 

 prized by breeders, is an unjustifiable usurpation of autho- 

 rity on the part of those who tamper with old standards 

 in their'desire to effect changes under the cloak of improve- 

 ments. In one respect at all events those who support 

 the modern view are entitled to plead justification for their 

 actions, as dogs of most varieties which can win prizes 

 have vastly increased in value. Whether this fact provides 

 proof that they are better animals than those of a genera- 

 tion or more ago, is a matter for doubt. They certainly 

 possess many new properties as they have lost old ones, 

 and as mediums for attracting the favourable notice of 

 modern judges, many of whom possess no knowledge of 

 what former breeders aimed at producing, they must be 

 pronounced to be distinct successes. The only debatable 

 question, in short, is, can the alterations which have been 

 effected, and which in some instances have practically 

 changed the whole character of a breed, be honestly 

 regarded as improvements ? (See Faking^ Preparing for 

 ShoWy Trimmmg.^ 



Eyes. — A great deal of difference exists in the colours 

 and shapes of the eyes in dogs of different breeds, and also 

 in the manner in which they are set in the head. These 

 matters are, however, referred to in the descriptions of the 

 various varieties ; but it may be laid down that, excepting in 

 a very few instances, a yellow eye is a disfiguration which 

 detracts considerably from the value of its possessor. 

 (See China Eye.) 



Faking. — This expression is one that is generally 

 adopted by exhibitors when alluding to certain dishonour- 

 able practices which unprincipled persons resort to with 

 the object of improving the appearance of their dogs or of 



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