Vartetics of the Dog. 25 
leg, all may be in good proportion ; but if not, it seldom 
happens that the dog can stoop to reach his hare without 
spoiling his stride. “Nevertheless. a remarkable exception 
is sometimes seen, in which there is great working and 
killing power displayed, with a high shoulder and long 
forelegs. This, however, is contrary to mle; and in 
selecting a good shape, no experienced courser would 
take such a formation without a practical proof of its 
efficiency in that particular instance. Next to the length 
of hmb, the due development of the joints is of great 
importance ; the stifle-joints ought to be strong and broad, 
and the bony processes pow erful and large. The hocks. 
also, should be long and powerful, and well separated 
from the leg-bone by that thin double laver of skin which 
may be felt, and almost seen through. The muscles are 
divided into two large masses—the t upper thigh, which is 
scarcely to be made out without the touch, “being, as it 
were, buried m the body and flank ; and the lower thigh, 
which is much more distinct, and of very great impor- 
tance to the powers of galloping. This lower thigh is a 
very desirable point, if well developed ; and in making a 
selection for breeding, its large size should be especially 
insisted upon, Good hind feet, again, are necessary, but 
I do not like them too round and catlike ; at the same 
time, a long flat foot is opposed to high speed, and also 
prevents 2 due hold being taken of the ground. Where- 
ever there is this long, flat, and broken-down foot, I 
should not look either tor high speed or for the power of 
continuing the efforts of the greyhound ; there is a want 
of that elasticity and springiness which characterize the 
movements of this graceful animal, and he goes dull and 
dead instead of being animated and ready for any exer- 
tion. 
The fore-quarter is the complement to the hind quarter. 
and can do nothing until set in motion by that part of the 
animal economy : but, in spite of this secondary part in 
the locomotive department, it is not less important than 
the primary cause of motion, because. though not origi- 
hating it, it can and does neutralize the efforts of the hind 
quarter, if not calculated to carry them out. The great 
