200 THE DOGS OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 



5. Chest (value 5) round, and rather deep ; but the back ribs are generally very 

 short, leading to a nipped loin. 



6. The loin (value 10), owing to the above cause, is often weak if examined 

 carefully beneath the thick coat, which conceals this defect. 



7. The legs (value 10) are generally straight and strong, with elbows well 

 let down, and clean hocks. Any defect therefore in these points will be severely 

 penalised. 



8. The feet (value 10) are cat-like, and rather small ; toes well arched ; but the 

 soles are apt to be thin and unfit for road work. 



9. The coat (value 15) is of a peculiar texture, differing from that of all other 

 dogs in its resemblance to coarse fur rather than hair. It is so marked in this 

 respect that the under-coat, which exists as in the colley, can scarcely be dis- 

 tinguished from it. The frill is of the same character, but rather more hairy 

 in the texture of its long fibres. It is quite as full as in the colley, in the best 

 specimens, and when deficient should be estimated accordingly. In the black 

 varieties the coat is more hairy, and has even a tendency to be silky. In the 

 best strains the coat stands out uniformly from the body like that of the fox or 

 cat, without any disposition to collect in flecks or wavy curls. The fore legs are 

 slightly feathered, but the hind are quite clean. The face is quite bare of all 

 but very short hair. 



10. The colour (value 15) should be a dead flake white, without any mixture of 

 yellow. A patch of fawn is often to be seen on the head or body, but it is very 

 objectionable. There is a black variety highly prized in Germany, though 

 apparently the produce of a cross, as the texture of coat and size of ears are very 

 different from the best specimens of the white breed. A red strain, closely 

 resembling the fox in texture of coat, and in all respects but the tail, is also 

 met with occasionally on the continent of Europe. This strain is in all respects 

 like the Chinese sheepdog, of which many specimens exist in England, and one or 

 two of them usually go to make up the foreign class in our large shows. 



11. The tail (value 5) is tightly curled over the back, shaggy, and rather short 

 than otherwise. 



12. In symmetry (value 5) this dogs equal most of his compeers, all his several 

 component parts being in good proportion. 



The specimen I have selected for illustration is only of average perfection in 

 the shape of body and head, but his coat is highly characteristic of the true breed. 

 He took the first prize at the Islington Show of the Kennel Club. 



