The Pointer 317 



very slightly from them. These last must be full of firm muscle, and the 

 stifles should be well bent and carried widely apart, so as to allow the hind 

 legs to be brought well forward in the gallop, instituting a form of action 

 which does not tire. 



Legs, Elbows and Hocks. — These must be strong enough to bear the 

 strain given them. Substance of bone is therefore demanded, not only in 

 the shanks, but in the joints, the knees and hocks being especially required 

 to be bony. The elbows should be well let down, giving a long upper arm, 

 and should not be turned in or out, the latter being, however, the lesser fault 

 of the two, as the confined elbows limit the action considerably. The 

 reverse is the case with the hocks, which may be turned in rather than out, 

 the former being generally accompanied by the wideness of stifles insisted on. 

 Both hind and fore pastern should be short, nearly upright and full of bone. 



Feet. — ^All-important; for, however strong and fast the action may be, 

 if the feet are not well shaped and the horny covering hard, the dog will soon 

 become footsore when at work. Preference is given to the round or cat foot, 

 with the toes well arched and close together. The main point, however, is 

 the closeness of the pads, compared with the thickness of the horny covering. 



Stern. — Strong in bone at the root, but should at once be reduced in 

 size as it leaves the body, and then gradually taper to a point. It should be 

 very slightly curved, carried a little above the line of the back, and without 

 the slightest approach to a curl at the tip. 



Symmetry and Quality. — The pointer should display good propor- 

 tion, no dog showing more difi^erence between the 'gentleman' and his 

 opposite. It is impossible to analyse the essentials, but every judge carries 

 the knowledge with him. 



Texture. — The coat in the pointer should be soft and mellow, but 

 not absolutely silky. 



Scale of Points 



Skull 10 Legs, elbows and 



Muzzle and nose lo hocks 12 



Ears, eyes and lips 4 Feet 8 



Neck 6 Stern 5 



Shoulders and chest 15 Symmetry and quality. 10 



Back, quarters and stifles.... 15 Texture of coat 5 



Total 100 



