MEASUREMENT OF POINTS. 29 



composing the haunch take their fulcrum, a good BACK is 

 required, and when of good form it has been compared to a beam. 

 Now the back is composed of a series of vertebra?, 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 counterbalanced 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. In measuring a dog I should 

 take only the following points, which should be nearly of the 

 proportions here given in one of average size : 

 PRINCIPAL POINTS: 



Height at the shoulder, 25 inches. 



Length from shoulder point to apex of last rib, 1 5 inches. 



Length from apex of last rib to back of buttock, 13 to 

 15 inches. 



Length from front of thigh round buttock to front of other 



thigh, 21 inches. 



But, to be more minute, it is as well to measure also the 

 SUBORDINATE POINTS, as under : 



Circumference of head between eyes and ears, 14J to 15 inches. 



Length of neck, 9 to 10 inches. 



