54 Useful Companions of Man. 
deep and wide chest, well ribbed up, and a powerful loin ; 
legs straight, with great bone (this point is not generally 
well displayed, owing to confinement, as is also the case 
with all large breeds); feet round and close; coat short, 
and tail fine, but with a very slight indication of roughness: 
it should be carried high when the dog is excited; colour 
most to be desired is fallow (fawn), with black muzzle, 
and the richer the black the better; next to this comes 
brindle, then red with black muzzle, or black ; some- 
times there is a considerable admixture of white, 
but this is not desirable. Height, from 29 to 31 in. 
in the dog, and even more if a fine symmetry can be 
obtained, but his good shape is seldom met with in so 
large an animal ; bitches are 2 or 3 in. lower. A dog 
standing 29 in. high ought to weigh, in good condition 
(not fat), from 120 lbs. to 130 lbs. 
The Great: Dane.—This champion among canine 
athletes has rapidly advanced to prominent favour. The 
best specimens stand over 34 inches, and in the scale 
raise 180 pounds or thereabouts. He is powerful, and 
elegant in carriage, his enormous size combining to render 
his general appearance exceptionally grand. In detail 
he is also remarkable for strict proportion. His faith- 
fulness and intelligence are equally acute, and his courage 
unfailing. He is minus the repellant ferocity of the bull- 
dog, but when occasion demands, his qualities as a 
mighty defender are never absent. He is a dog of 
wonderful mould, especial temperament and capabilities, 
as the close companion of man. The following are the 
various points adopted by the Great Dane Club: The 
Head is long, the forehead being slightly elevated and 
indented between the eyes. Shw// not too broad. 
Muzzle strong and obtuse ; nose large and arched ; cheek 
muscles large and firm; lips blunted perpendicularly in 
front, not hanging too loose at the sides, but with well 
defined folds at the angles of the mouth. The lower jaw 
slightly projects. yes small, deeply set and expressive, 
Lars very small, and carried erect. Fashion, however, 
calls in the aid of cropping. The Weck is strong, muscular, 
well-arched. No dewlap or loose skin about the throat. 
