DOGS USED IN SPORT 



49 



the nose dark liver coloured or black, moist and 

 shining. The jaws should be level and the teeth ex- 

 actly level in front, as nothing detracts more from ap- 

 pearance than the ' snipe nose.' There should not be 

 that fullness of lip, allowable in the Pointer, but, at 

 the angles of the mouth, the lips should be rather pen- 

 dulous. The ears, which are usually about six inches in 

 length, should be set low on the head, larger where they 

 are attached, than at the tips, which should be round, 

 not pointed. They should never be pricked, or carried 

 forward, even when the dog points. The eyes should 

 be large and sparkling, not protruding, as in the King 

 Charles Spaniel, but well set and full of intelligence. 

 The neck, long, thin, slightly arched at crest, and clean 

 cut where it joins the head, this last a most important 

 point. The shoulders should be well set back, the 

 blades long, the muscles well-developed throughout. 

 Ribs not so widely sprung as the Pointer's. The back 

 ribs deep and fairly near to the hip bone. The chest 

 deep and moderately wide. The loins broad and 

 arched slightly and the hips wide. The hind quarters 

 square, strongly made and the stifles well bent. Cat- 

 like feet are preferable to the ' hare ' or ' spoon ' foot. 

 The round foot, with toes well arched, distributes the 

 power of the toes more evenly, and is best suited for 

 every description of shooting ground, in fact, the Fox- 

 hound foot, and leg with it. The feet should be 

 straight, neither turned in or out. The toes should be 

 well furnished with hair, which, in the best breeds, 

 forms a tuft between the toes and protects the sole, 

 being replenished as fast as it wears away. The pas- 



