118 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



most important feature. An oblique shoulder is likewise usually accompanied by a 

 longer true arm, because the point of the shoulder must be raised higher from the 

 elbow to allow of the obliquity, and in proportion to the increased length will the 

 fore foot be extended forward ; thus this form gives longer levers with greater power 

 of leverage, and more space for the lodgment of muscles. If then, we have this form, 

 combined with good length from the elbow down to the knee, compared with that 

 from the knee to the ground, and with a good development of bone and muscle in 

 addition, perfection in this essential part of the frame is insured. In this last point 

 (from the elbow to the knee) there is a very great difference in greyhounds ; but, by 

 a careful measurement of various well-formed legs, I am inclined to think that from 

 the elbow to the knee ought to be at least twice the length from the same point 

 to the ground. In this measurement the dog would be standing on a level surface 

 with his weight bearing upon both legs, and I think the measure should be taken in 

 this way, and not from the base of the two middle nails, because in the stride the 

 action is from the ball of the foot, and not from the end of the toes. In variously- 

 formed feet there is a difference of nearly an inch in length of toes , and many a 

 dog with short toes would measure from the ground nearly an inch less than 

 another with long toes ; which latter would nevertheless measure, from his toe- 

 iiails to his knee, nearly an inch more than the former. 



" Such are the general points of importance in the fore-quarter ; the minor 

 ones are, good bony and well-developed shoulder points, elbows neither turned in 

 nor out, muscular arms, good bony knees, not too much bent back, and large strong 

 pasterns, the bones composing which are of full size." 



4. Loin and ~back ribs (value 15). " In order to unite the hind and fore 

 quarters, and to assist in fixing the pelvis, from which the muscles composing the 

 haunch take their fulcrum, a good back is required, and when of a good form it has 

 been compared to a beam. Now the back is composed of a series of vertebrae, 

 having the ribs attached to the sides of the first thirteen, but in those of the loins 

 depending alone upon the hip bones and lateral processes for the lodgment and 

 attachment of muscles. It must be self-evident that every additional inch in length 

 of back increases the stride by that amount exactly, and therefore if prolonged 

 indefinitely it would be advantageous till counter-balanced by the disadvantages 

 inseparably connected with this form, in consequence of the diminished strength. 

 The length of back should therefore be looked for between the neck and the last 

 rib, rather than between the last rib and the hip bone, and this is a very important 

 consideration too often neglected. The back ribs should be well spread and 

 deep ; for, unless they are in this form, a sufficient attachment cannot be afforded 

 to the muscles of the loins, which constitute the chief moving power in drawing the 

 hind legs forward, and in fixing the pelvis. The loins must therefore be broad, 

 strong, and deep, and the measure of their strength must be a circular one. Breadth 

 alone will not do, since the lower muscles require to be well developed as well as the 

 upper, but a good measurement round the loin is a good test of power in that 

 quarter. It was the fashion from 1840 to 1850 to select flat and straight backs, and 

 these certainly are handsomer than the high-arched backs previously so much in 



