THE SMOOTH ENGLISH GREYHOUND, 19 
than it deserves from theoretical principles. Undoubtedly a bad 
shape is more likely to succeed, in competition with an average 
dog, when combined with a highly organised brain and a deter- 
mined will, than the very best form of propelling powers if there 
is no desire accompanying them to lay these powers out. But 
practically no one can with certainty foretell from the examina- 
tion of the head whether or not, in any particular instance, its 
possession will develop a strong will or not; and consequently it 
is idle to lay too great a stress upon that which cannot be defined 
with exactitude. The following points are therefore laid down on 
the above basis :— 
VALUE VALUE 
Head, : é 10 Hind-quarters and legs, . 20 
Neck, ; : : : 10 Feet, ge hae . 15 
Chest, shoulders, an forelegs, 20 Tail, : é ‘ ‘ 5 
Loin, side, and back ribs, . 15 | Colour and coat, : : 5 
| Total, . - 100 
The head should be wide between the ears, measuring in a full- 
sized dog 144 inches in circumference between the eyes and ears. 
It is generally described as snake-like, that is to say, it should be 
broad and flat, not arched or domed, as is the case with many other 
breeds. Many of the old-fashioned strains had very narrow heads, 
but either the cross with the bulldog or the selection of wide- 
headed sires and dams has led to the general possession of wide 
heads by the best strains of modern times. As a consequence, 
great determination and cleverness are displayed, and the puppy 
now is often at his best before the end of his first season, whereas 
in olden times-it was often two or three years before the old- 
fashioned dog could be relied on either for working or killing 
powers. Those celebrated bitches ‘ Mocking Bird” and “ Cerito” 
were useless in their first seasons, but such an occurrence is now 
very rare, and at the end of half a dozen courses the young grey- 
hound is as clever in turning and killing as he ever will be. This 
is especially the case with the bitch puppy, who is generally at 
her best some months before her brother of the same litter. The 
jaws should be long and lean, tapering to a point, and of even 
length, neither “pig-jawed” nor underhung. Good strong teeth, 
