SIZE. 35 



actions should be well considered, because I believe they are of 

 great importance in selecting a good cross ; for, however well the 

 shape of the sire may suit the dam, still, if the action is totally 

 different, I much doubt the success of the experiment. But this 

 is a subject which will come better under the chapter devoted to 

 the selection of a good cross for the female. 



The best SIZE for the greyhound-form is a very difficult ques- 

 tion to answer in a satisfactory manner, but I think that most 

 coursers now consider the full-sized dog-greyhound of 70 or 75 Ibs. 

 as not likely to be so successful as one of 58 Ibs. to 65 Ibs. weight ; 

 of course there are exceptions to all rules, but this I believe to be 

 the general impression upon the subject. In Wiltshire very small 

 dogs, as well as bitches, have run well, but perhaps this will never 

 happen again, as they were chiefly successful when pitted against: 

 large unwieldy animals, which are now seldom started in such a 

 country. Within the last ten years the following dogs and bitches 

 of full size have run well in Wiltshire : viz. ' Billy-go-by-'em,' of 

 70 Ibs. weight ; 6 Agitation ' and ' Kegina Victoria,' of full size ; 

 < Lord Greorge,' 74 Ibs. ; ' Czar,' 61 Ibs. ; ' Leeway,' 54 Ibs. ; ' Ebb,' 

 53 Ibs.; < Puzzle-'em,' 63 Ibs. ; 4 Mocking Bird,' 61 Ibs. ; < Egypt,' 

 ' Lopez,' ( Bedlamite,' and ' Merlin,' above 60 Ibs., and that beau- 

 tiful bitch f Lizzie,' running about 57 or 58 Ibs. This list 

 must show that great weight and size are not objectionable even 

 on the Wiltshire Downs, if united with a good heart and suffi- 

 cient activity of form ; but heaviness and lumpiness are to be 

 avoided in all countries. Still we often see small bitches with a 

 good turn of speed, of which c Kiot,' who weighed 47 Ibs., is an 



D > 



