638 The Dog Book 



its dimensions but width, in which there is a remarkable deficiency. The 

 upper surface is domed, ending in a blunt point at the occiput; but the brain 

 case is not developed to the same extent as the jaws, which are very long and 

 wide at the nostrils, hollow and very lean in the cheek and notably under 

 the eyes. The muzzle should be deep and square. The brows are moder- 

 ately prominent, and the general expression of the whole head is very 

 grand and majestic. The skin covering the forehead and cheeks is wrink- 

 led in a remarkable manner, unlike any other dog. These points are not- 

 nearly so developed in the bitch; but still they are to be demanded in the 

 same proportionate degree. 



Ears and Eyes (value 10). — ^The ears, which should be set on low, are 

 long enough to overlap one another considerably when drawn together in 

 front of the nose; the leather should be very thin, pendulous, and should 

 hang very forward and close to the cheeks, never showing the slightest ten- 

 dency to "prick"; they should be covered with very soft, short, silky hair. 

 The eyes are generally hazel, rather small, and deeply sunk, with triangular- 

 shaped lids showing the third eyelid, or "haw," which is frequently, but not 

 always, of a deep red colour. 



Flews (value 5) are remarkably long and pendant, sometimes falling 

 fully two inches below the angle of the mouth. 



Neck (value 5) is long, so as to enable this hound to drop his nose to the 

 ground without altering his pace. In the front of the throat there is a 

 considerable dewlap. 



Chest and Shoulders (value lo) . — The chest is rather wide and deep, but 

 in all cases there should be a good girth; shoulders sloping and muscular. 



Back and Back Ribs (value 10) should be wide and deep, the size of the 

 dog necessitating great power in this department. The hips or couples, 

 should be especially attended to, and they should be wide, or almost ragged. 



Legs and Feet (value 15). — The legs must be straight and muscular, and 

 the ankles full size. The feet should be round and catlike. 



Colour and coat (value 10). — In colour the bloodhound is either black- 

 and-tan or tan only, as is the case with all black-and-tan breeds. The 

 black should extend to the back and sides, top of neck and top of head. 

 It is seldom a pure black, but more or less mixed with the tan, which should 

 be a deep rich red. There should be little or no white. A deep tawny, 

 or lion colour, is also coveted, but seldom found. The coat should be short 

 and hard on the body, but silky on the ears and top of the head. 



