Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.

Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.
behind the occiput.  It is not a fault if the dog can raise his ears erect when excited or looking after game, although some English judges dislike this frequent characteristic.  The head should be carried somewhat low, with the neck continuing the line of the back.  SHOULDERS—­Clean and sloping well back, i.e., the shoulder blades should almost touch one another.  CHEST—­Deep and somewhat narrow.  It must be capacious, but the capacity must be got from depth, and not from “barrel” ribs—­a bad fault in a running hound.  BACK—­Rather bony, and free from any cavity in the spinal column, the arch in the back being more marked in the dog than in the bitch.  LOINS—­Broad and very powerful, showing plenty of muscular development.  THIGHS—­Long and well developed, with good second thigh.  The muscle in the Borzoi is longer than in the Greyhound.  RIBS—­Slightly sprung, very deep, reaching to the elbow.  FORE-LEGS—­Lean and straight.  Seen from the front they should be narrow and from the side broad at the shoulder and narrowing gradually down to the foot, the bone appearing flat and not round as in the Foxhound.  HIND-LEGS—­The least thing under the body when standing still, not straight, and the stifle slightly bent.  They should, of course, be straight as regards each other, and not “cow-hocked,” but straight hind-legs imply a want of speed.  FEET—­Like those of the Deerhound, rather long.  The toes close together and well arched.  COAT—­Long, silky, not woolly; either flat, wavy, or curly.  On the head, ears and front-legs it should be short and smooth; on the neck the frill should be profuse and rather curly; on the chest and the rest of the body, the tail and hind-quarters, it should be long; the fore-legs being well feathered.  TAIL—­Long, well feathered, and not gaily carried.  It should be carried well down, almost touching the ground.  HEIGHT—­Dogs from 29 inches upwards at shoulder, bitches from 27 inches upwards. (Originally 27 inches and 26 inches.  Altered at a general meeting of the Borzoi Club, held February, 1906.) FAULTS—­Head short and thick; too much stop; parti-coloured nose; eyes too wide apart; heavy ears; heavy shoulders; wide chest; “barrel” ribbed; dew-claws; elbows turned out; wide behind.  Also light eyes and over or undershot jaws.  COLOUR—­The Club standard makes no mention of colour.  White, of course, should predominate; fawn, lemon, orange, brindle, blue, slate and black markings are met with.  Too much of the latter, or black and tan markings, are disliked.  Whole coloured dogs are also seen.

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The foregoing description embodies the standard of points as laid down and adopted by the Borzoi Club, interpolated with some remarks for the further guidance of the novice.

The Borzoi Club was founded in 1892, and now consists of about fifty members, with the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle as joint-presidents.  It does much good work for the breed, guaranteeing classes at shows, where otherwise few or none would be given, encouraging the breeding of high-class Borzois by offering its valuable challenge cups and other special prizes, and generally looking after the interests of the breed.

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Dogs and All about Them from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.