410 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



best. They are unable to define trimming in Terriers sufficiently just and com- 

 prehensive for the purposes of disqualification; so they say we will ask men to 

 judge these hairy breeds who are acquainted with the peculiar customs of the 

 fancy, and then we will ask them to tip us the wink if they see how it has been 

 done. This is a very comfortable temporary arrangement. Some of the 

 judges have taken to it most seriously, and we expect to give our readers 

 accounts of several causes celebres of this description in 1890. 



The honesty of motive here shown is beyond cavil; still, 

 as certain modifications of the natural animal are allowed 

 in the case of some other breeds of dogs, there may be 

 another point of view that is not dishonest, either. To win 

 with Bedlingtons under the general run of judges, the coat 

 must be made to look neat and not disguise the dog' s good 

 points of shape. If any trace of his ' ' improvement ' ' is 

 found, scrutineers, disregarding the customs of fanciers 

 and judges of this breed, think they have grounds for dis- 

 gracing both animal and owner, which does not encourage 

 the taking up of this otherwise unexceptionable dog. If 

 the judges would favor what have been called "honest- 

 coated" dogs, and not be much influenced by the neatness 

 that comes from excessively careful and skillful manipula- 

 tion, it would tend to stimulate the breeding and showing 

 of dogs with better natural coats. 



The latest dictum on this subject, by the English Bed- 

 lington Terrier Club, is to this effect: 



At a meeting of the above club held in Newcastle, on January 7, 1880, it 

 was voted, unanimously, "that trimming Bedlingt^n Terriers, that is, remov- 

 ing superfluous hair, be allowable and acknowledged, as it is not done to 

 deceive, but to smarten the dog and show his shape and general contour; and 

 that the honorable secretary be instructed to send a copy of the minutes of the 

 meeting to the Kennel Club committee, and request them to seriously consider 

 the matter. 



By this energetic defense of trimming, the specialty club 

 openly challenged the highest English tribunal, and the 

 result is that we have the Kennel Club's definition of a 

 limit to the practice; for at a meeting held February 4, 

 1890, it was, after some discussion, voted, unanimously, 

 "that the committee of the Kennel Club agree with the 

 Bedlington Terrier Club that the removal of ' superfluous 

 hair' is allowable, understanding by the words 'superflu- 



