438 DOGS USED FOR SPORT. 



g. The co!or, v. 7i — The best colors are red, and black and tan, 

 which last should be deep-and rich, and this variety should always 

 have a black nose. The red strain may have flesh-colored nose, 

 and some good judges in England maintain that it is indispens- 

 able, but in Germany it is not considered of any importance. In 

 the black and tans, the tan should extend to the lips, cheeks, a 

 spot over each eye, the belly and flank, underside of the tail, and 

 a spot on each side of the breast bone ; also to the lower part of 

 both fore and hind legs and feet. Thumb marks and pencilling of 

 the toes are not approved of in this country ; but they are often 

 met with in Germany. Whole chocolate dogs are often well bred, 

 but they are not liked in England, even with tan markings, which 

 are, however, an improvement. Whole blacks and whites are un- 

 known out of Germany, where they are rare. In England white 

 on toes or breast is objected to, but not in Germany. 



lo. Stze, symmetry and quality, v. lo. — In size the dachshund 

 should .be in an average specimen from thirty-nine to forty-twc 

 inches long, from tip to tip, and in height ten to eleven inches at 

 the shoulder ; the weight should be from eleven to eighteen pounds, 

 the bitches being considerably smaller than the dogs. 



GREY-HOUNDS. 



The grey-hound is the beau ideal of an animal formed for speed 

 and endurance. There are several species. The English dog has 

 long legs, with muscles like whip-cord which denote extreme length 

 of stride, and rapidity of movement. His chief use is in coursing 

 the hare, arid in actual speed he far surpasses the hare ; the latter, 

 however, has the advantage of stopping short, and turning quick- 

 ly, while the grey-hound, owing to his immense stride, which gives 

 him excessive impetus, carries him far beyond his prey. Coursing, 

 as practiced in England as an amusement, is of very ancient date. 

 Two grey-hounds are sent after each hare, and matched agains' 

 each other, for the purpose of trying their comparative strength 

 and speed. Some hares are so crafty and ag^e, that they bafile 

 the best hounds and get away fairly into covers from whence the 

 grey-hound, working only by sight (he has no scent) is unable to 

 drive them. 



The coursing of the Western hare, or what is called the jackass 

 rabbit, byg^ey-hounds, is fast becoming a favorite amusement with 

 our army officers located at frontier posts, especially in Texas, 

 jt^here ground well adapted to the sport is convenient. 



