30 DOMESTICATED HUNTING-DOGS. 



should be as drake-like as possible. The object of this is to enable 

 the greyhound to stoop and bear the hare without being put out of 

 his stride. The proper average length of the neck is about equal 

 to that of the head. 



The beam-like back is all-important, for without strength in this 

 department, though high speed may be obtained for a short 

 distance, it is impossible to maintain it, and then we have a flashy 

 animal, who is brought up at the end of a quarter of a mile. 

 What is meant by the comparison to the beam is not only that it 

 shall be strong, but that the back shall have the peculiar square 

 form of that object. There is a long muscle which runs from the 

 hip forwards to be attached to the angles of the ribs, and this, if 

 well developed, gives great power in turning, so that it is a very es- 

 sential point, and upon the size of it the squareness mainly depends. 

 Without width of hip no back can be strong, since the muscles have 

 no possibility of attachment in sufficient breadth, and the same may 

 be said of the ribs. In examining, therefore, a dog out of condi- 

 tion, the experienced eye often detects the probability of the future 

 development of a good back, even though there is no appearance 

 of muscle at the time ; because, the bones being of good size and 

 breadth, there is every reason to expect, with health and good feed- 

 ing, that they will be covered by their usual moving powers, 

 and will then show the substance which is desired. It is also desir- 

 able to have depth of back from above downwards, by which the 

 whole body is " buckled and unbuckled " with quickness and power, 

 as is required in the gallop. The muscles of the abdomen may 

 draw the chest towards the hind legs powerfully, but the action is 



