JUDGING THE DAIRY TYPE OF CATTLE 



291 



occur unless the hindquarters are of superior shape and 

 proportions. The hips of the cow should be wide apart and 

 at least as high as the spine. Width between the hips indi- 

 cates a wide pelvis, which is highly essential as relating to 

 parturition. The narrow pelvis suggests serious difficulty 

 in giving birth to the calf. Comparatively, the hips seem 

 more prominent with dairy than beef cows, due no doubt 

 to the lack of flesh covering. "Width between the hips is 

 naturally associated with the wedge type of the dairy cow. 

 The rump, as in tlie case of the beef cow, should be long, 

 wide and comparatively level, but should lack the heavy 

 covering of flesh. A tendency to lay on flesh over the rump 

 is looked upon with distinct disfavor by dairy cattle critics. 

 One feature of the rump has been much discussed, and that 

 is what is known as the pelvic arch. This is especially no- 

 ticeable in the large size and prominence of the backbone 

 beginning just back of the hips. Viewed from either th% 

 side or rear, a slight elevation of this part is noticeable. 

 This arching is assumed to indicate a spacious opening 



Fig. 160. — "The rump, as in the case of the beef cow, should be long.' 



