Dogs and All about Them

"The shoulders are of great power, and terminate in the crooked feet of the Basset, which appear to be a mass of joints. The back and ribs are strong, and the former of great length. "The stern is carried gaily, like that of hounds in general, and when the hound is on the scent of game this portion of his body gets extremely animated, and tells me, in my own hounds, when they have struck a fresh or a cold scent, and I even know when the foremost hound will give tongue. "The hind-quarters are very strong and muscular, the muscles standing rigidly out down to the hocks. "The skin is soft in the smooth haired dogs, and like that of any other hound, but in the rough variety it is like that of the Otterhound's. "Colour, of course, is a matter of fancy, although I infinitely prefer the tricolour, which has a tan head and a black and white body."