CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 



29 



invariably tires readily, and is frequently defective in 

 stamina. The loin should never be absolutely flat, but 

 should rise to a gentle curve. 



The quarters must be large — i. e., both wide and deep 

 — as here are attached the muscles that render both loin 

 and thighs effective ; and generally in very strong ani- 

 mals there is a more or less rugged appearance from bony 

 prominences, which indicates a strong osseous, correspond- 

 ing to a strong, muscular development. 



Thighs. — The thigh-joint proper of the dog is incon- 

 spicuous, and what is termed the " stifle " corresponds to 



Fig. 2, 



the knee of man. Upper and lower thigh (Fig. 2) are 

 convenient terms, and both should be well developed in 

 an animal intended for a long and rapid stride, for such 

 implies that muscles are both thick and long. Length is 

 of great importance for the highest speed, for it is well 

 known that a muscle in contraction may shorten to one 



