676 The Dog Book 



cross-bred specimens with terrier blood in them. The result of this cross 

 is seen in the stiff ears, sometimes the button style, loss of the essential fore- 

 action, and lack of the high symmetry in neck and carriage. There is no 

 breed which shows more quality in conformation and movement than this 

 one, when you get the genuine article, and you cannot blame the few who 

 have bred and kept these dogs pure, from withdrawing from competition 

 when their efforts are set at naught by half-bred terriers or whippets getting 

 the prizes. We have seen at more than one show, dogs that looked like 

 litter brothers to the whippets at the same show and these were the sort 

 that won. A whippet or a half-bred terrier cannot show the prancing action 

 of the true Italian and we have never allowed small size to take rank over 

 this essential characteristic when it has been our lot to judge the breed. 



When you find this action and see that the ears do not indicate unde- 

 sirable crosses then pick out as small a dog as possible that is not a physical 

 wreck and devoid of muscle. In the matter of colour more latitude is now 

 allowed than was the case years ago, when whole coloured fawns were about 

 the only kind considered correct. The standard even now says that the 

 golden fawn is preferred, biit also allows red, mouse, blue, and as a less desir- 

 able class of colours permits blacks, brindles and pied dogs. These stand- 

 ard framers are supposed to know, but a brindle Italian — ^the horror of it! 

 Could we have our way, we should draw close colour lines in this breed and 

 make the limit fawn, cream and white, breaking down the barrier only in 

 favor of fawn and white in the case of an exceptional dog. No blacks or 

 blues or brindles, not even a strong red. 



Dr. Hoyt of Sharon, Pa. is the only exhibitor we know of in this country 

 at the present time, all others, there never were many, having retired. The 

 result is that no classes are now opened for the breed and when New York 

 declines to do that then the breed is pretty nearly counted out altogether. 

 They are not dogs one can send to shows and leave them to the help to look 

 after, and until some person who has the inclination and the time to travel 

 and systematically exhibit Italians there is little chance of there being any 

 better provided for than they now are. The impression that they are very 

 delicate dogs is erroneous and they can stand a fair amount of cold, for they 

 are very active and scamper about as greyhounds do. They call for no more 

 attention than do other toy dogs, are exceedingly neat in their habits and 

 are always clean and in perfect trim when in good health and properly cared 

 for. They have merits as drawing-room pets, far in advance of many 



