140 Modern Dogs. 



fairly well sprung, and the shoulders neatly and 

 elegantly laid, for if too upright the hound is sure 

 to be slow. 



Back and loins strong and very powerful, the 

 latter firm and hard ; back not level, but rather 

 arched towards the loins, for the same reason a grey- 

 hound is similarly shaped. 



Legs and feet : The former must be straight in 

 front, strong and muscular, and without any undue 

 heaviness near the shoulder that is likely to give an 

 appearance of being out at the elbows. Hind legs 

 particularly well muscled, stifles strong and neatly 

 turned, so displaying the " sickle hocks." Stiffness 

 or stiltiness in the hind quarters ought to be absolute 

 disqualification, for a deerhound that cannot gallop, 

 and walks like a dancing master, is of no use 

 whatever ; feet firm, thick, well arched, with the 

 toes close and strong. 



The coat should be hard, crisp and close, without 

 any degree of softness or woolliness the latter is very 

 bad. One inclined to be curly and crisp and hard 

 and dense is to be preferred to a perfectly straight 

 jacket that is soft, fine, and open. Silkiness or 

 softness of the hair on the skull is to be guarded 

 against, though it repeatedly appears ; indeed, most 

 specimens are silkier here than on other parts of the 

 body. There should be a hard close coat down the 



