CLASSIFICATION OF DOGS. 79 



on his legs, with the body swung loosely between them, 

 so that a slight roll in gait should not be objectionable ; 

 but at the same time a weak or hollow back, slackness of 

 loins or cow-hocks, constitute grave faults. 



Head. — Broad and massive ; top of skull flat; occipital 

 protuberance well developed, but, unlike the St. Bernard 

 and mastiff, he has no decided stop ; muzzle short, clean- 

 cut, and rather square in shape, covered with short, fine 

 hair ; eyes small, dark-brown, rather deeply set, without 

 haw and somewhat wide apart ; ears small, set well back, 

 square, with the skull lying close to head, covered with 

 short hair and without fringe. 



Should be sound throughout. A sway-back, slack loin, 

 cow-hocks, and splayed feet are very objectionable, as be- 

 fore stated, and they are not uncommon. 



Tail. — Without flag but covered with long hair, usu- 

 ally carried low, and with slight curve ; when the animal 

 is excited or in motion, carried higher, but never curled 

 over the back, and should never have a kink (turn to one 

 side) in it. 



Color. — Jet black. 



Coat. — Flat, dense, coarse in texture, oily, elastic. 



Height and Weight. — Average height, twenty-seven 

 inches at shoulder for dogs and twenty-five inches for 

 bitches ; average weight, one hundred pounds and eighty- 

 five pounds, respectively. Large size desirable if accom- 

 panied by other good points and general symmetry. 



Other Varieties of Newfoundland. — The St. John's or 

 Labrador dog is smaller and more retriever-like in form ; 

 in fact, it is probable that this breed has entered into the 

 formation of the retriever. 



