26 THE DESCRIPTIVE ANATOMY OF THE DOG. 



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 ensured. In this last point (from 

 the elbow to the knee) there is a very great difference in grey- 

 hounds; 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 should 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-nails 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, large and strong pasterns, and 

 well-formed feet. With regard to this last point much difference 

 of opinion has arisen, and most coursers advocate the selection of 

 the cat-like foot, as in ' War Eagle : ' but I do not myself care for 



