CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 31 



the joint should make a decided angle. It should also be 

 low — i. e., near the ground — allowing of a longer thigh. 

 It will be noticed that throughout a common physical 

 principle is involved — viz., that obliquity is favorable to 

 resistance of strain. The longer the legs above the carpal 

 and tarsal joints (knee and hock), the more favorable for 

 the resistance of shocks and length of leverage — i. e., 

 speed. A dog straight in stifle or hocks has a stilty action 

 that offends the eye as well as militates against speed. 



Feet. — There are two principal types of feet — the 

 long or hare foot, and the roundish or cat foot. The lat- 

 ter looks better, but it is a matter of dispute which is 

 the more durable. It is probably a question of thickness, 

 hardness of pads, and supply of hair between the toes, 

 rather than of form. But the toes should be well flexed 

 or " knuckled up," thick through, and hard on the pads 

 for obvious reasons, 



The toe-nails are of importance — more than is com- 

 monly believed. Let one be lost and it may then be 

 learned how weak the foot concerned becomes. 



The Tail. — At first sight of little importance, but hav- 

 ing much to do with the character and quality of the ani- 

 mal, not to speak of its importance as an index of good 

 breeding, it must be taken into the account. The writer 

 believes that if animals be watched carefully it will be 

 perceived that the dog makes great use of his tail in pro- 

 gression, using it as a sort of air rudder or balancing-pole 

 — at all events, it seems to be of importance in making 

 sharp turns, etc. This should be considered, as some 

 breeds have the tail docked by common practice. 



If the reader will now turn to the cut of the grey- 



