The Flat or Wavy Coated Black Retriever. 389 



otherwise, even with a proper length of neck, the 

 dog cannot stoop to a foot scent without fatigue. 



The chest should be broad as well as deep, with 

 well-developed and well sprung ribs. 



Legs, hiees, and hocks. When tolerably fast 

 work is to be done by a heavy dog, it is 

 important that these parts should be strong and 

 free from disease in their joints. Hence the legs 

 must not only be long and muscular, but they 

 must be clean and free from lumber. The knees 

 should be broad, and the hocks well developed, and 

 clean. 



The feet are rather larger proportionately than 

 in the setter, but they should be compact, and 

 the toes well arched. Soles thick and strong. 



The tail should be bushy in proportion to the 

 dog, but not feathered. It should be carried gaily, 

 but not curled over the back. 



The coat is short, but not so short as in the 

 pointer or hound ; it should be close and thick and 

 as straight as possible; a thin open coat, underneath 

 which the skin is easily found, is bad, however 

 straight it may be. 



The colour should be a rich black, free from 

 rustiness and from white. 



Symmetry and temperament. The symmetry and 

 elegance of this dog are considerable, and should 



