The Italian Greyhound. 345 



white not more frequently, and, although blue or 

 slate is most acceptable as a hue, it is long since I 

 have seen a specimen of such a colour. Red I do 

 not care for, and when pronounced in darkness, to 

 my way of thinking, points to an off cross. Dark 

 shadings are undesirable, and a little white on the 

 breast or on the feet, is no more than a slight 

 handicap ; I mean that if judged by points, a white 

 or pale chest, a white foot, or even two white feet, 

 where in other respects the colour was good, and 

 the general formation perfect, the dog so marked 

 should have precedence over a dog worse in 

 formation and character, even though such be 

 perfect in colour. 



Like all other varieties, the Italian greyhound 

 has a distinctive character of its own, which is 

 strongly displayed in its high and haughty action 

 when walking, trotting, or galloping. Dr. Walsh 

 called this peculiar action " prancing," nor did 

 he describe it otherwise than correctly, as he did 

 all things he took in hand. The Italian greyhound 

 proper was never bred from any of our ordinary 

 greyhounds, or even crossed with them, although 

 a lot of nonsense inferring such has been the 

 case I have seen published. He is as much a 

 variety of the canine race as the St. Bernard, 

 mastiff, and foxhound. 



