THE DANDIE DINMONT 139 



feather of light hair starting about 2 inches from 

 the tip, and of nearly the same colour and texture 

 as the topknot, which gives the ear the appearance 

 of a distinct point. The animal is often one or 

 two years old before the feather is shown. 



NECK. Very muscular, well -developed, and 

 strong, showing great power of resistance, being 

 well set into the shoulders. 



BODY. Long, strong, and flexible ; ribs well 

 sprung and round, chest well developed, and let well 

 down between the forelegs ; the back rather low at 

 the shoulder, having a slight downward curve and 

 a corresponding arch over the loins, with a very 

 slight gradual drop from top of loins to root of 

 tail ; both sides of backbone well supplied with 

 muscle. 



TAIL. Rather short, say from 8 inches to 

 10 inches, and covered on the upper side with wiry 

 hair of darker colour than that of the body, the hair 

 on the under side being lighter in colour and not 

 so wiry, with nice feather about 2 inches long, getting 

 shorter as it nears the tip. It should not be twisted 

 or curled in any way, but should come up with a 

 curve like a scimitar, the tip, when excited, being 

 in a perpendicular line with the root of the tail. 



LEGS. The forelegs 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. The hair on the forelegs and feet 

 of a Pepper 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 



