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.
average weight of adult dogs in fair condition is 90 pounds and of adult bitches 80 pounds.  Dogs attain the weight of 110 pounds, bitches 100 pounds.  The greater weights are to be preferred, provided (as in the case of height) that quality and proportion are also combined.  EXPRESSION—­The expression is noble and dignified and characterised by solemnity, wisdom and power.  TEMPERAMENT—­In temperament he is extremely affectionate, quarrelsome neither with companions nor with other dogs.  His nature is somewhat shy, and equally sensitive to kindness or correction by his master.  HEAD—­The head is narrow in proportion to its length and long in proportion to the body, tapering but slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle thus (when viewed from above and in front) having the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its entire length.  In profile the upper outline of the skull is nearly in the same plane as that of the foreface.  The length from end of nose to stop (midway between the eyes) should be not less than that from stop to back of occipital protuberance (peak).  The entire length of head from the posterior part of the occipital protuberance to the end of the muzzle should be 12 inches, or more, in dogs, and 11 inches, or more, in bitches.  SKULL—­The skull is long and narrow, with the occipital peak very pronounced.  The brows are not prominent, although, owing to the deep-set eyes, they may have that appearance.  FOREFACE—­The foreface is long, deep, and of even width throughout, with square outline when seen in profile.  EYES—­The eyes are deeply sunk in the orbits, the lids assuming a lozenge or diamond shape, in consequence of the lower lids being dragged down and everted by the heavy flews.  The eyes correspond with the general tone of colour of the animal, varying from deep hazel to yellow.  The hazel colour is, however, to be preferred, although very seldom seen in red-and-tan hounds.  EARS—­The ears are thin and soft to the touch, extremely long, set very low, and fall in graceful folds, the lower parts curling inwards and backwards.  WRINKLE—­The head is furnished with an amount of loose skin which in nearly every position appears super-abundant, but more particularly so when the head is carried low; the skin then falls into loose, pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the forehead and sides of the face.  NOSTRILS—­The nostrils are large and open.  LIPS, FLEWS, AND DEWLAP—­In front the lips fall squarely, making a right-angle with the upper line of the foreface, whilst behind they form deep, hanging flews, and, being continued into the pendent folds of loose skin about the neck, constitute the dewlap, which is very pronounced.  These characters are found, though in a less degree, in the bitch.  NECK, SHOULDERS, AND CHEST—­The neck is long, the shoulders muscular and well sloped backwards; the ribs are well sprung, and the chest well let down between the forelegs, forming a deep
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Dogs and All about Them from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.