60 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 



present day, and indicates speed derived from the greyhound. It 

 should very gradually deepen without widening as it is set on to 

 the shoulders. 



The shoulder-blades must be long and muscular, with their 

 points lean and well raised from the bosom, but not heavy nor 

 set widely apart. The true arm, between them and the elbow, 

 should be long and well clothed with muscle. 



The chest in the average dog hound should girth 30 inches, 

 and may be slightly more round than in the greyhound, but still 

 should not be quite barrel-like. The back ribs must be deep, 

 showing a good constitution, and also giving strong attachment to 

 the muscles of the back. 



The hind-quarters must in any case be strong, and most 

 Masters prefer them rather straight than much bent at the 

 stifles ; but this will a good deal depend on the country to be 

 hunted. Over stone walls the bent stifle is often injured from 

 hitting the tops, and consequently in packs hunting where they 

 abound there is no question that they are objectionable. On the 

 other hand, over the Leicestershire pastures they undoubtedly 

 give high speed and freedom in going at the greatest speed, so 

 that what is best for one is worst for the other. Breadth of 

 buttock and quarter is always a recommendation. 



The elbows should be set on low, giving a long true arm, and 

 neither turning in nor out. 



As to the legs and feet, all are agreed that their formation 

 should be regarded as highly important. Nearly every M.F.H. 

 requires the fore pasterns to be quite perpendicular, and shaped 

 as if cut out of a block of wood. This formation is, how- 

 ever, an exaggeration of what is wanted, in my opinion, and a 

 slight bend at the knee-joint is to be preferred, as shown in the 

 portrait of " Hermit " which illustrates this article. Fore-leo-s like 



