DESCRIPTION AND POINTS OF GREYHOUND 175 



from holding his hare when he has floored her. Undershot 

 greyhounds are seldom met with, and should not be encouraged. 



The eyes are of moderate size, neither deep-set nor pedun- 

 culated, and of varying colour ; generally speaking, a light eye 

 in a dog of dark colour is to be avoided. The usual measure- 

 ment of the head round the ears would be from 14^ to 15^ 

 inches according to sex and size, but a tape run round the eyes 

 should show a considerably reduced measurement. 



The cheek should be very muscular, so as to lend additional 

 strength to the striking and holding power of the jaw. 



The neck of the greyhound is peculiarly graceful, and its 

 length, symmetry, and set on are of vital importance. It must 

 be of sufficient length and flexibility to enable him to strike 

 his hare without losing stride. A ewe neck i.e. one that is 

 concave above and convex beneath instead of the reverse is 

 a terrible fault, and one seldom met with, for the simple 

 reason that all puppies thus afflicted are as a rule promptly 

 destroyed. If the tape is run from the point of the nose 

 to that of the shoulder, the junction of the head with the 

 neck will, in a well-formed dog, be found to be midway. 

 This fact is mentioned by 'Stonehenge,' and is well worth 

 remembering, for where the test fails it will be found that 

 either the head or the neck is too short for well-balanced 

 symmetry. A long, graceful, and well-set neck adds greatly 

 to that vague but to experts well-understood term, quality. 



Chest and shoulders. The chest of the greyhound is 

 somewhat flat, but deep and roomy, giving plenty of space for 

 lungs and heart to bear the extra strain so often put on them. 

 The shoulders are long, oblique, and laid well back, working 

 smoothly on the flat surface of the ribs, the latter being well 

 separated and more convex as they approach the quarters It 

 is of great importance that in none of these details excess 

 should be noticeable, for unless a happy medium is maintained 

 the effect of the whole is neutralised. 



The back is arched and very powerful and supple ; it is 

 broad, and shows enormous muscular development. These 



