34 FIRST DIVISION OF THE 



With regard to the form of the back and sides of the greyhound, Mr. 

 Thacker says, with much truth, that " It is the strength of the back which 

 is brought into requisition, in particular, in running over hilly ground. 

 Here may be said to rest the distinction between long and short backs, 

 supposing both to be good and strong. The more lengthy the back, and 

 proportionately strong, the more the greyhound is calculated to beat the 

 shorter-backed dog on the flat ; but on hilly ground one with a shorter 

 back will have the advantage." a 



The ribs should also be well arched. We would perhaps avoid him with 

 sides too decidedly outswelling, but still more would we avoid the direct flat- 

 sided dog. 



Without really good haunches and muscular thighs, it has been well 

 remarked that the odds are against any dog, be his other points whatever 

 they may. It is by the propulsatory efforts of the muscles of the loins 

 and thighs that the race is won. The thighs should be large, and muscu- 

 larly indented ; the hocks broad, and, like the knee, low placed. These 

 are very important points ; for, as Mr. Blaine has properly remarked, " on 

 the extent of the angles formed between these several portions of the hinder 

 limbs, depends the extent of the space passed over at each bound." 



The colour of the greyhound varies exceedingly. Some are perfectly 

 black and glossy. In strength and endurance, the brindled dog, or the 

 brown or fawn-coloured one, is the best. The white greyhound, although a 

 beautiful animal and swift, is not, perhaps, quite so much to be depended on. 



The greyhound is said to be deficient in attachment to his master and in 

 general intelligence. There is some truth in the imputation ; but, in fact, 

 the greyhound has, far less than even the hound, the opportunity of form- 

 ing individual attachments, and no other exercise of the mind is required 

 of him than to follow the game which starts up before him, and to catch 

 it if he can. If, however, he is closely watched he will be found to have 

 all the intellect that his situation requires. 11 



As to the individual attachment which the greyhound may form, he has 

 not always or often the opportunity to acquire or to exhibit it. The 

 keeper exercises over him a tyrannical power, and the owner seldom no- 

 tices him in the manner which excites affection, or scarcely recognition ; 

 but, as a plea for the seeming want of fondness, which, compared with 

 other breeds, he exhibits, it will be sufficient to quote the testimony of the 

 younger Xenophon, who had made the greyhound his companion and his 

 friend. 



a Thacker on Sporting. discovered that they could gnaw the cords 



b The writer of this work had a brace asunder, and displace the rod, and fish out 



of greyhounds as arrant thieves as ever the meat as before. Small chains were 



lived. They would now and then steal then substituted for the cords, and the 



into the cooking-room belonging to the meat was cooked in safety for nearly a 



kennel, lift the lid from the boiler, and, if week, when they found that, by rearing 



any portion of the joint or piece of meat themselves on their hind legs, and apply- 



projected above the water, suddenly seize ing their united strength towards the top 



it, and before there was time for them to of the boiler, they could lift it out of its 



feel much of its heat, contrive to whirl bed and roll it along the floor, and so get 



it on the floor, and eat it at their leisure at the broth, although the meat was out 



as it got cold. In order to prevent this, of their reach. The man who looked after 



the top of the boiler was secured by an them expressed himself heartily glad when 



iron rod passing under its handle, and they were gone ; for, he said he was often 



tied to the handle of the boiler on each afraid to go into the kennel, and was sure 



side ; but not many days passed ere they they were devils, and not dogs. 



