THE ENGLISH TERRIER. 117 



outwards, but seldom lies quite close to the cheeks, often exhibiting 

 a tendency to the rose or tulip form, and the two ears seldom 

 matching exactly. It is a great deal on this account, I think, 

 that the practice of cropping is kept up, for very few dogs would 

 show neat ears if left entire ; but when they are neat, they surely 

 ought to be prized accordingly by the judges. 



The neck should be light, round, and with a greyhound-like 

 turn from the occiput to the setting on to the shoulders, tapering 

 very slightly downwards. The under surface must be quite tight 

 and concave, approaching the form of the cock's thropple. The 

 shoulders must be sloping, but they are not required to be 

 muscular, as in the fox-terrier, whose digging powers are regarded 

 as of considerable importance. 



The chest is deep, with an approach to the keel-shape of the 

 greyhound, which it also resembles in its absence of width. The 

 round barrel-like form of some strains arises from a bull cross, 

 used to abrogate the evils of that attending on the cross of the 

 Italian greyhound. The back ribs are often short, but good 

 judges penalise this tendency. 



The loins should be round and slightly arched, the muscle 

 being developed in good specimens under the spine as well as 

 above it. The flank should not be too much cut up. 



The legs should be light of bone, set on quite straight, with 

 elbows and hocks well let down, and stifles well bent. The fore- 

 arms are muscular, but not excessively so, and the lower thighs 

 are of the same character. 



The feet are compact and round but hare-like, with the toes 

 well split up, and at the same time arched. The claws should 

 be short and jet-black. The dew-claws are generally removed. 



The coat is fine, short, and glossy, but not soft. 



The colour (including markings) is regarded as more important 



