340 British Dogs. 



" Colour. A matter of taste. In the Isle of Skye dark-grey is the 

 general colour of the breed, but there are also some very light-coloured 

 specimens, and others nearly black ; while the Skyes in Argyleshire are 

 chiefly reddish-yellow, with some darker hairs intermixed, If the dog is 

 of any light colour, a dark muzzle, with tips of ears and tail also dark, 

 should be considered a strong recommendation, as lending to the dog a 

 distinguished appearance. White on feet, breast, or any other part of 

 the dog should be regarded as a blemish. 



" Weight. Males from 121b. to 161b., females ranging about 31b. less. 



"Value of Skye terrier points: "Head (number indicating relative 

 value), 15 ; jaws and teeth, 10 ; eyes, 5 ; ears, 5 ; body and neck, 25 ; 

 legs and feet, 15; tail .(carriage of), 5; coat (texture of) and colour, 

 10 ; symmetry, 10." 



Here follow the signatures of twenty-two persons. 



Mr. J. Gordon Murray's contribution to our knowledge of the subject, 

 which I now propose to give, at least does credit to his industry and 

 his patriotism. Unfortunately his is not a judicial mind, the clan spirit 

 crops out, and shows the bias. In his advocacy of what he calls the 

 " very real and pure Skye terrier," he reminds me of the anecdote of the 

 two Scottish dames who were discussing the prospects of our arms on 

 the eve of a great battle, when one wound up with the pious exclamation 

 that she " hoped Providence would be on the side of those who were 

 right," when the other, showing the true national spirit, indignantly 

 exclaimed, "Houts, woman ! let Providence be on our folks' side, whether 

 they're right or wrang." 



There is no praise too ridiculously fulsome, and no expression of 

 opinion too absurd in favour of his "very real and pure," which he 

 hesitates to entertain, or, at least, express. 



The comparison of the dog with a retriever in his work, and the 

 statement that a dog 7in. to 9in. high at the shoulder could retrieve any 

 "quadruped" bigger than "rats and mice and such small deer" is an 

 injustice offered by Mr. J. G. Murray the partisan to J. G. Murray the 

 sportsman, which the latter does not deserve. Mr. Murray's partisan- 

 ship also carries him aside from facts which should be known to him as 

 a frequent visitor at London and other large shows. He insinuates that 

 the winning dogs at such shows have coats soft in texture ; he says that 

 their heads are round and apple shaped, and the tail carried " d la pug,'* 



