THE SMOOTH-COATED FOX TERRIER 



BY AUGUST BELMONT, JR. 



I HA YE been earnestly and repeatedly requested by the 

 Editor of this book to write an article on the Fox Ter- 

 rier. I declined at first for want of time, and because I 

 felt that someone else might do the work in a more finished 

 manner than I; and would gladly have persisted in this 

 course, but was led to consider it my duty to undertake the 

 task because I represent so important an interest in the 

 breed, and because I desire to do everything possible to 

 promote its growth in public favor. 



This beautiful species of Terrier is, it must be admitted, 

 better and more widely understood and appreciated at nis 

 home, in England, than here in America. On this side the 

 water his popularity has but just begun, and his early his- 

 tory has been more ably treated by English writers than it 

 is possible for an American to treat it. It will therefore 

 suffice for the purposes of this article to give a general 

 sketch of the Fox Terrier's early history which at best is 

 somewhat vague a description of his characteristics, as 

 condensed a review as possible of the principal strains, and 

 a brief survey of what we possess here in America on which 

 to found a worthy branch of a now magnificent breed in 

 Great Britain. 



Terriers corresponding to the present Fox Terrier, both 

 wire-haired and smooth, have undoubtedly existed for sev- 

 eral centuries, although they were, as far as any allusion 

 to them can be found in the works of early writers on 

 sporting matters, classed and spoken of under the general 

 term of " terrier," a corrupted word derived from their 

 Latin appellation, terrarius, indicating their propensity to 

 hunt under-ground. 



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