THE DALMATIAN DOG. 141 



for beauty and not utility, as far as this part goes. Eyes small, 

 sharp, and dark. Ears vine-shaped, set on rather far back, some- 

 what smaller than the pointer's, with thin leather, and quite free 

 from folds. 



The neck is an exact reproduction of the pointer's. 



The ~body must be strong and 'compact, with a slightly arched loin, 

 and sloping muscular shoulders. 



The legs and feet are the only points in which utility is con- 

 sidered ; for as the dog is required to do a great deal of road 

 work, the legs must be strong, straight, and working freely on 

 the elbows and stifles. The feet, again, are imperatively demanded 

 without spread of the toes, and possessing hard, horny pads. If 

 thin-soled or with spreading toes, a single journey knocks this 

 dog up; but, as usually met with, his soles are so hard as to stand 

 a daily road journey for an indefinite term. Great substance of 

 bone is, however, not regarded as of any importance. 



The tail closely resembles the correct type of the pointer's, but 

 is usually carried higher than is approved of in that dog. 



The coat is short and moderately fine, but hot silky. 



The colour is by preference black spotted on a white ground, 

 but liver and dark blue are also permitted. A slight stain of tan 

 about the face and legs is also allowed. A rich jet black counts 

 first ; then black and tan ; thirdly, liver ; and fourthly, blue ; but 

 there is not much difference in value between the two last. 



The marking, however, makes the dog in the eye of the fancier, 

 many good judges going for it alone. When perfect, the spots 

 on the body are evenly distributed, but quite clear of one another, 

 and should not exceed the size of a half-crown piece, nor be less 

 than a shilling. Such absolute perfection is, however, yet in 

 nubibus. On the tail there should be several spots without 

 coalescing. 



Symmetry in this dog is regarded as a sine qud non. 



