THE BOOK OF THE OTTER 



his otter until the latter bolts, or the diggers 

 unearth him, he is not worth his keep. Provided 

 he is thoroughly game, and not too big, it matters 

 not how a terrier is bred. He is there to work, 

 and not to be looked at. Roughly speaking, a 

 terrier of about 14 Ib. weight will be suited to 

 otter-hunting. As, apart from bolting otters, he 

 will not be called upon to do any great amount 

 of travelling over rough country, short legs are 

 no great drawback to him. For all that, however, 

 we like to see a terrier with a fair length of leg, 

 for there are certain holts, particularly amongst 

 rocks, where an otter can command the upper 

 position, and a short-legged terrier is much 

 handicapped when trying to get at him. A 

 terrier should have a fair head and jaw, and he 

 should be as narrow in front as is compatible with 

 adequate heart and lung room. A narrow- 

 fronted dog can always get into a smaller place 

 than a broad-chested one, even if he is longer 

 on the leg. A terrier that will lie up close to an 



otter and move him with his tongue is preferable 



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