174 COURSING 



With regard to the head of the greyhound it is somewhat 

 far-fetched to hken it to that of a snake, although the term 

 is very frequently met with in modern journalism ; ' a long 

 snake-like head ' being quite a cant phrase with advertisers of 

 fox-terriers and other such dogs. 



' Neck like a drake ' is fair, for in this particular no dog can 

 vie with the greyhound and his cousins-german as regards the 

 acme of grace and symmetry. If novelists would only describe 

 their heroines as being possessed of greyhound-like necks 

 instead of swan-like ones, the simile would be more accept- 

 able. It is madness to allow the mind to dwell on a vision of 

 female loveliness attached to a swan-like neck ! 



' Back like a beam ' would seem to imply a broad, flat 

 back, the same width from end to end, which would, of course, 

 be wrong ; but we must only take it as applying to its strength 

 and breadth. 



' Chest like a bream ' is sufiSciently descriptive, and quite 

 applicable. 



' Foot like a cat ' will not quite do, as the foot of a grey- 

 hound is not as round as that of grimalkin, nor are the toes of 

 the latter as arched as those of the former, though in closeness 

 and compactness they resemble one another. 



' Tail like a rat ' will do, except thai we do not often see rats 

 with the terminal pot-hook, characteristic of the greyhound. 



The following is a categorical description : — 



Head {including nose, muzzle, jaivs, eyes, ears, and skull). — 

 ' That head is the best which is most often in front,' was the 

 answer given by a well-known M.F.H. when asked which he 

 considered the best type of foxhound heai. This applies 

 with almost equal force to the greyhound. We say ' almost ' 

 advisedly, for the latter has more work to do with his head 

 (physically speaking) than the former. The head itself should 

 be long and tapering, the skull slightly domed, but flat at the 

 junction with the neck ; the muzzle long and powerful, and 

 the nose pointed ; the jaws strong, muscular, and level ; pig- 

 jaws or overshot teeth are very objectionable, and prevent a dog 



