FINENESS OF COAT. 43 



coincide with the prevailing opinion, when the numerous recent 

 successes of the descendants of ( Scotland Yet ' are recollected. 



Fineness of coat is also considered an indication of good blood, 

 but many of our best breeds of late have been remarkably rough, 

 and harsh in the hair, though still short, and far from the 

 state of coat found upon the old rough greyhound. Among 

 these the ( Foremosts ' and f Barrators ' are very remarkable ; but 

 nevertheless their sides, thighs, and cheeks, are thinly covered 

 with hair. Some of the Scotch varieties are also coarse in their 

 coats ; and, on the whole, I think fineness of coat can scarcely be 

 relied on as a mark of breed. 



Having now gone in detail into the various points of the 

 greyhound, I would impress upon the young courser the import- 

 ance of considering only those which really affect the usefulness 

 of the animal. Let him only take care to get a good breed, 

 without stain in the pedigree, and then by selecting those 

 puppies of good form, regardless of colour and tail, he will be 

 less likely to be disappointed than if he kept a pretty-coloured 

 animal, with a faultless tail, and had discarded one of a less 

 prized coat, and perhaps curly tail, but which yet had the form 

 and style of going which would serve his purpose as a public 

 courser. 



