THE CORRECT TYPE 21 



two questions. The very fact of their doing so points 

 conclusively to the excellence of the working standard 

 elsewhere laid down. 



Personally, I am free to confess myself an optimist as 

 regards the breed. I hold that the true type has -not 

 only been maintained, but that increased competition and 

 generations of selected matings have improved upon it by 

 the judicious combination of essential characteristics. 



A certain glamour necessarily clings around the 

 heroes of the past, whose excellence lies buried with them 

 beyond the risk of refutation. All honour to them for the 

 good work they have done. 



But suppose that it were possible to resuscitate a 

 champion of fifteen years ago, and pit him, in his prime, 

 against a champion of to-day. Judged by the collective 

 talent of our leading experts, many of whom would have a 

 tender memory to bias their decision, I hold that the 

 verdict would be an overwhelming majority in favour of 

 the modern dog. For he would be found to excel, under 

 the Club standard of points, in almost every detail which 

 subsequent generations of breeding have brought to 

 perfection. 



In the matter of action, however, the ground is not so 

 sure. I think it is open to question whether the average 

 bob-tail of to-day is as good a mover as were his 

 ancestors, and whether our modern judges devote quite 

 enough attention to this most salient requirement. 



Obviously, the conditions under which they perform 



