CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 45 



legs, and feet are all in harmony with the above ideal — 

 i. e., of a dog intermediate between the fleetest and the 

 strongest breeds. 



The tail is strong at the root, tapering to the end, 

 reaching to the hock, carried slightly curved and not 

 mnch if at all above the level of the back ; when the ani- 

 mal is tranquil it is carried very low. 



Coat — Short, liard, and dense. 



Colors. — Shades of gray (or blue), black, white, 

 spotted, red, fawn, brindle or tiger-striped on a white 

 ground, with patches of dark color. The single colors 

 may be accompanied by markings of a darker tint about 

 the eyes and muzzle, with a line of similar tint (" trace ") 

 along the spine. The " wall " or " china " eye seems to 

 naturally accompany certain colors, as is also the case in 

 sheep-dogs. 



The most noticeable or common faults are too heavy 

 or houndy a head ; brows and stop too pronounced ; face 

 too broad ; muzzle too light, short, or not square enough 

 at end ; ears too heavy or improperly carried ; throati- 

 ness ; neck too short or thick ; chest too broad or too 

 narrow ; sunken or sway -back and flat loin ; legs not 

 straight ; weak pasterns and cow-hocks ; twisted or splay- 

 feet ; coat coarse or long ; tail too heavy, too much 

 curved, carried too high, or curled into a sort of ring 

 (" ring-tailed "). 



This, like other large breeds, is very liable to be weak 

 in hind parts — i. e., quarters, thighs, and hocks. Many 

 strong specimens lack symmetry, quality, and character. 



Terriers. — The terriers constitute a numerous collection 

 of breeds, and, as almost every one is in Britain encour- 



