94 DOMESTICATED DOGS FOR THE GLN. 



Plenty of boue in the leg, well clotlied witli muscle and tendon, a 

 strong knee, full-sized ankle, and round strong foot, provided tdth 

 a tJiick sole, are also essential to the wear and tear of the fore 

 quarter, while the hind requires muscular haunches and thighs, 

 strong well-bent stifles, large and strong hocks, and the hind feet 

 of the same character as those described for the fore feet. The 

 colour shoidd be principally white, in order that the dog may 

 readily be seen either among heather, or in clover or turnips, 

 as the case may be. Liver-coloured or black pointers look very 

 handsome, but it will be found that great inconvenience attaches 

 to them, as they will often be lost sight of when pointing in either 

 of the above kinds of beat. White, with black, liver, yellow, or 

 lemon-coloured heads, are the most jarized ; and of these my preju- 

 dice is in favour of the last, from having had and seen so many 

 good dogs of that colour. A spot or two on the body, and any 

 number of ticks, are not considered objectionable, particiJarly the 

 latter, which are generally admired. Some breeds are distinguished 

 by having numerous white ticks in the colour, especialh" when 

 there are large patches on the body, the marks on the head being 

 usually free from them. Black and white pointers have sometimes 

 also the tanned spots over the eye, and the edges of the black on 

 the cheeks tinged with tan ; but this is supjDosed to indicate a 

 cross of the foxhound, and no doubt in many cases with truth ; 

 yet I fancy that if a yellow and white pointer is put to a black 

 and white one, the tan will show itself occasionally without any 

 admixture with the hound. The coat of the high-bred pointer 

 is short and soft to the touch ; but for hard work, especially on 



