THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER. 123 



weak, as it is apt to be. Shoulders not loaded with wide 

 blades. 



Body (chest, ribs, and loin). — The chest is rather deep, long, 

 and flat, with shallow back ribs in many otherwise good speci- 

 mens. Loin arched and rising above the level of the tops of 

 the shoulder-blades ; very muscular, and with the greyhound- 

 like continuation of the long dorsal muscles well-formed, con- 

 necting powerfully the loin and chest. Hips wide, but not 

 ragged. 



The legs are small in bone and not very muscular, generally 

 set on straight, with elbows rather high. Hocks also high and 

 stifles somewhat straight. 



The feet are large and rather flat, indicative of the otter-hound 

 descent. Claws strong and following the colour of the nose. 



The coat is somewhat peculiar, resembling tangled flax in 

 appearance and texture, and is hence called "linty." It is 

 very open, and generally without much curl, but there is 

 always a slight wave ; and being always more or less tangled, 

 there is an appearance of curl at first sight, which on closer 

 examination is seen to be a deception. Among the soft and 

 fine hairs there are generally scattered a few coarse ones, but 

 the fewer the better. 



The colours are (1) blue or slate; (2) blue and tan; (3) liver; 

 (4) liver and tan; (5) sandy in all shades, from dark fawn 

 down to cream. 



The tail is set on low, and is carried nearly straight on a level 

 with the back. It should be thick at the root, and end in a 

 fine point with little hair on it. 



Size and weight. — The size is from 1 4 inches to 1 8 inches, and 

 the weight 1 5 lbs. to 2 5 lbs. , 



