THE TURKISH GREYHOUND. 131 



thinking of a Greyhound, the shape and movements of which are sc perfectly graceful. The general 

 characters of the variety are well known, and are well and pithily given in an old rhyme, quoted by 

 Mr. Youatt, according to which. 



" A Greyhounde should be headed lyke a Snake, 

 And neckyd lyke a Drake, 

 Fotyd like a Cat, 

 Tayled like a Ratte, 

 Syded like a Teme, 

 And chyned like a Bream." 



The head is proportionally smaller than in any other variety, and, in consequence of this, 

 the Greyhound is by no means one of the Dogs particularly noted for intellect, his energy having 

 all gone off in the direction of speed, and there being, in consequence, none to spare for brain-power* 

 He is, in fact, an athlete, and nothing more a pace et prceterea nihil. In former times the Greyhound 

 was sufficiently strong to cope with the Wolf, but for many hundred years he has gradually degenerated 

 in strength, and towards the close of the last century was so deficient in courage and perseverance that 

 Lord Oxford, one of the lights of the sporting world at that time, hit upon the ingenious plan of 

 crossing his Greyhounds with Bull-dogs. This expedient was so successful that, " after the sixth or 

 seventh generation, there was not a vestige left of the form of the Bull-dog ; but his courage and his 

 indomitable perseverance remained, and, having once started after his game, he did not relinquish 

 chase until he fell exhausted, or perhaps died. This cross is now almost universally adopted. It is 

 one of the secrets in the breeding of the Greyhound." 



The form of the Greyhound is as well known as that of any l)og : its long, slender muzzle, 

 capacious chest, slender loins, and beautifully-shaped limbs, are familiar to every one ; the latter form 

 a set of spring-levers only equalled by the limbs of a Racehorse or a Deer. The colour is very variable 

 black, white, fawn, or brindled. The hair is short and fine, and the ears rise erect for a certain 

 icight and then hang over. 



This Dog is now used only for coursing or hare-hunting. In performing this task, it is guided 

 entirely by the eye, its sense of smell being deficient, and practically of no importance in the chase : 

 so that if once the Greyhound loses sight of the game, the latter is started again by a Spaniel. 

 The speed attained by a good Greyhound is very remarkable : it is, indeed, only just inferior to that 

 ' a Racehorse. 



THE SCOTCH GREYHOUND. 



This is a more strongly-built variety or sub-breed of the Common or English Greyhound. It is 

 less swift than its southern brother, but more muscular, more hairy, and inclined to " dodge " the Hare 

 coursing, instead of winning by speed alone. 



THE DEERHOTJND. 



This is a well-marked variety of the Greyhound breed, distinguished by stronger form, shaggy 

 lair, and drooping ears. Both in appearance and in disposition it is wilder and more savage than the 

 Jreyhound ; sometimes being decidedly inclined to ferocity. It was a Dog of this breed, named 

 ; Maida," which was the special favourite of Sir Walter Scott, and which is so often painted by the 

 side of the great novelist, who describes his noble hound, under the name of " Bevis," in " Wood- 

 ck," as being " in strength a Mastiff, in form and almost in fleetness a Greyhound. Bevis was 

 the noblest of the kind which ever pulled down a Stag, tawny-coloured like a Lion, with a black 

 muzzle and black feet, just edged with a line of white round the toes. He was as tractable as he 

 was strong and bold." 



THE TURKISH GREYHOUND, 



if Greyhound it should be called, is a small Dog, either entirely devoid of hair, or having only a few 

 hairs on its tail. " He is never now in the field, and bred only as a spoiled pet and yet not always 

 spoiled, for anecdotes are related of his inviolable attachment to his owner. One of them belonged 

 to a Turkish Pacha, who was destroyed by the bowstring. He would not forsake the corpse, but laid 

 himself down by the body of his murdered master, and presently expired."* 



* Youatt. 



