34 Varieties of the Dog. 



possible, and the muscle of the fore-arm, as well as the 

 tendons of the pasterns and toes, proportionably strong. 

 If the foot is not perfectly straight, it must turn in, not 

 out. In shape it should be round and cat-like, but very 

 highly arched toes are apt to give way. Sole hard and 

 thick. Value of legs and feet, 20 points. 



The hind quarters must be as strong as possible, wide 

 as well as deep. Bone of pastern strong and large; hocks 

 strong and straight. Value, 10. 



The stem should be carried gaily upwards without 

 hooping; it should be slightly rough beneath its lower 

 edge, but not feathered ; point straight. The coat should 

 be dense, smooth, and glossy. Colour, black, white, and 

 tan, black and white, or pied with hare, badger, red, tan, or 

 yellow, which colours are preferred in the order I have 

 given. Value, 10, in conjunction with the general symmetry. 

 Height from 22 to 25 in. ; the best average is 2 2| in. for 

 bitches, and 24 in. for dogs; or for a mixed j)ack, 23 in. 



The Harrier comes next in order. His head is 

 heavier in proportion than tliat of the foxhound, and the 

 ears of thinner texture; they are sometimes slightly 

 rounded, but the general practice is to leave them in 

 their natural state. 



In other respects there is little difference between the 

 two breeds, though the eye of the master will readily 

 pick out a true harrier from a foxhound without seeing 

 the head. Thej^^////i- are the same as in the foxhound. 



The Beagle. — The exact origin of this dog is not 

 quite clear. He has been described as a dwarf southern 

 hound, as it was thought the resemblance to him was 

 closer than is observed in the foxhound or harrier. Like 

 the southern hound, he also possesses an extraordinary 

 power of scenting ; his intelligence is acute, and when 

 carefully selected with respect to these requirements, as 

 well as uniformity in size, the pack works evenly and 

 efficiently, giving forth enspiriting music. The Master 

 of the Cockermouth Beagles gives the following descrip- 

 tion and points of the breed : " Head like that of a fox- 

 hound, with sweet, intelligent countenance; the head 

 long, and the nose should not come to a sharp point. 



