The classes of Greyhounds seen at our shows vary very much as to numbers. As a rule they are not well filled, and it is the exception rather than the rule to find any coursing dog of merit entered. Occasionally, however, this does occur, as in the case of Maney Starlight (Fig. 32), a Greyhound that has rendered good account of herself as a courser and as a show-bench winner. As in the case of sporting field dogs, a dog cannot be fitted for both work and ornament at one and the same time. Dr. Salter has frequently won stakes and show-bench honours with dogs, and so have some few others.

Occasionally, when well-known coursing men have been appointed to judge, classes have rilled well. This seems to indicate that, if only such were selected to officiate, and a different classification adopted, we might see large numbers competing at our more important summer shows. Classes for winners at their legitimate work would not merely be interesting, but would have a wholesome effect in modifying the extravagancies of theoretical ideas of fitness, which are too apt to prevail.

The best classes of Greyhounds are to be met with at provincial shows, in coursing counties, where the local celebrities are shown by their owners; but at many shows one or more good-looking dogs that have been brought out - generally in the North - are first run round a few of the summer shows, and then, getting into the hands of regular exhibitors, snap up most of the prizes throughout the country. Some of these prize dogs have been fair performers, and are eminently handsome specimens, and invariably well bred.

Popularly it is supposed that the Greyhound is a brainless dog, savage and treacherous as to temperament, and of not the slightest use as a companion. No greater fallacy ever existed. Properly brought up and educated, the Greyhound makes an excellent companion, and is almost invariably well disposed and intelligent, added to which it is a dog that occupies very little room, even when brought into the house, as it curls up into a small space; while it is one of the few that may be allowed to follow either a trap or a cycle, providing the distance be not too great. The great thing when exercising Greyhounds that are kept solely for companions is to prevent them from chevying and running riot. Once the habit of rioting becomes fixed, the dogs are an intolerable nuisance, and no small domestic animal, from grimalkin to the cocks and hens that fly excitedly before them, is safe.

In selecting a puppy, care should be taken to secure one that shows a long, lean head with slightly domed skull, straight fore legs, good bone, muscular hindquarters, a nicely arched back, bent stifles, long neck, shoulders set obliquely, not straight, and deep chest.

Before leaving the Greyhound it will not be out of place to refer to a crossbred dog - the Lurcher - that, if not remarkable for elegance, is noteworthy on account of the cunning it displays. It is the poachers' dog, and is by no means the ugly brute he is sometimes described. The Lurcher proper is a cross between the Scotch Collie and the Greyhound. Some, however, have a Terrier cross, while others may have a dash of Harrier, Pointer, or Setter. An average Collie-Greyhound Lurcher will stand about three-fourths the height of the Greyhound. He is more strongly built than the latter, and heavier boned, yet lithe and supple withal; his whole conformation gives an impression of speed, just as his blinking, half-closed eye, as he lies pretending to sleep, impresses one with his intelligence and cunning. His coat is rough, hard, and uneven; his ears are coarse; and altogether there is an air of vulgarity about him. No yelp, youf, or yowl from the Lurcher. Steady at heel, or keeping watch at the stile till the wire is in the meuse and the net across the gate; then, at a motion of the hand, and without a whimper, he is round the field, driving rabbit and hare into the fatal snare.

Lurchers will run by either nose or sight, as suits them, but always cunning. Let them start a hare - they will probably make for the meuse and meet poor Wat; but their great game is, with crouching, stealthy step, to pounce on him in his form. All Lurchers will retrieve their game. They vary greatly in general size and shape, as they do in colour; but an ideal Lurcher is an animal with a heavyish Greyhound conformation, with just enough of the Collie to make him look intelligent, and in colour, red, brindle, or grizzle.