480 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



the latter breed, and in fact is not much larger than a smooth-coated sheep dog, only the 

 German dog is considerably heavier in bone, and is, in addition, far more muscular in his 

 body and limbs. They are undoubtedly hounds, and when they do take it into their heads 

 to " bay the moon," there is no mistaking this fact. 



The following is the official description of the breed to which we have already referred: 



General appearance ; medium height, of strong and long structure, high in the back of head, 

 tail rarely carried high, earnest expression of the face. 



" Head of middling size, the upper part broad and flat, the forehead slightly wrinkled, the 

 hind part of the head is moderately expressed. Nose broader than in other breeds of hounds, 

 may be black or red. The bridge of the nose under the eyes is small or drawn in, almost 

 arched. The eyebrows are considerably developed and protruding. Nose, round, and lips 

 falling over in the corner of the mouth. 



" Ears tolerably long, very broad, rounded at the ends, high, and equally set out, always 

 lying close. 



"Eyes clear, with energetic expression, no red observable. 



"Neck long and strong, enlarging towards the chest. 



"Back rather long, sunk behind the shoulders, hind part broad, and slightly vaulted and 

 sloping. 



" Breast wide, ribs deep and long, back gradually sloping up behind. 



" Tail long, and well provided with hair. 



" Fore-legs stronger than the hind-legs, shoulders sloping, very loose and movable ; the 

 muscles of the shoulders are well developed. 



"Hind-legs moderately well developed, the lower parts not quite straight. 



" Feet strong, round, and closed toes. Nails strong, uneven ; the sole of the foot is strong 

 and large. 



" Coat close and full, smooth and elastic, almost glossy. 



"Colour grey-brown, like the winter coat of deer; dark brown on muzzle, eyes, and tail, 

 red-brown or red-yellow, or brown intermixed with black, and marked mostly with the darker 

 colour ; on the eyes, nose, and tail, as also with dark marks on the back." 



Those dogs are considered as faulty which have a small high skull, narrow nose, running 

 in the same dimension towards the forehead ; if the ears are too long, too narrow, and too 

 pointed ; if the legs are bent, too short, or too thin, or strongly bent and too high carried 

 tail ; as also the structure, if not in correspondence with the different parts of the body. As 

 regards colour, white, and also yellow marks, must be considered faulty. 



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