THE CHOW-CHOW 237 



or treacherous. His gait is different from that of 

 other dogs, and is not altogether unlike that of a 

 wild animal. The fact that they are used in Man- 

 churia for draught purposes is, no doubt, responsible 

 for the wide variations in size. Not only are the 

 mental characteristics of the Chow dissimilar from 

 those of other dogs, but he has also a curious physical 

 difference which is most marked when one once 

 notices it that is, his absolutely black tongue. The 

 coat may He either smooth or rough, but the latter 

 is more generally popular. The points are as 

 follow : 



HEAD. Skull flat and broad, with little stop, well 

 filled under eyes. Muzzle moderate in length, and 

 broad from eyes to the point (not pointed like 

 a fox). 



NOSE. Black, large, and wide (in cream or light- 

 coloured specimens a pink nose is allowable). 



TONGUE. Black. 



EYES. Dark and small ^(in a blue dog light colour 

 is permissible). 



EARS.- Small, pointed, and carried stiffly erect. 

 They should be placed well forward over the eyes, 

 which gives the dog the peculiar characteristic of 

 the breed i.e., a sort of scowl. 



TEETH. Strong and level. 



NECK. Strong, full, well set on shoulders, and 

 slightly arched. Shoulders muscular and sloping. 



CHEST. Broad and deep. 



BACK. Short, straight, and strong.; 



LOINS. Powerful. 



TAIL. Curled tightly over back. 



FORELEGS. Perfectly straight, of moderate length 1 

 and with great bone. 



