The Skye Terrier. 353 



settlement of their differences. Two of unequal weight sometimes fall 

 out, and the weaker, instead of acknowledging defeat, requires upon 

 every fresh occasion to have it demonstrated that he is not the better 

 dog of the two. To all vermin they are determined enemies, but when 

 attacking the larger sorts they do so with generalship ; yet a bite from 

 the adversary often makes them forget their tactics, and when they do close 

 they can both give and take as much punishment as any dog of their 

 weight. They are keen hunters, have good scent, and are fond of the 

 gun. Their speed is not great, but they stick to a scent most per- 

 tinaciously, and will follow a wounded animal for miles. 



" For all purposes for which the terriers are used they are of service. 

 As house dogs they have much to recommend them. They are watchful 

 to a fault ; and they require less exercise to keep them in health than 

 almost any other terrier. When kept as house dogs merely, it is of little 

 consequence what weight they are ; but when required to go to ground 

 they must neither be big in size nor too light in weight. There has been 

 much difference of opinion expressed as to what should be considered the 

 proper weight of a Skye terrier. The claim has frequently been made on 

 behalf of the Dandie that there is no terrier so game as he is. This 

 claim may or may not be a just one ; but it does seem very strange, if it 

 is just, that the Dandie Dinmont Club should consider 201b. not too 

 heavy for a Dandie, and professed judges of the breed outside the club 

 should think an additional half stone not too heavy to exclude from the 

 prize list, while men who at least pretend to know about Skyes maintain 

 that dogs of this breed should not exceed 141b., and that preference 

 should be given to even lighter weights. Both breeds are used for the 

 same kind of work, and surely it is too much to expect a 141b. Skye to 

 be successful in doing what it requires a 241b. Dandie to accomplish, 

 especially when the latter is the ' gamest of all terriers.' Fox terriers 

 are not considered too large at 201b. , and as a Skye has the advantage of 

 two or three pounds in shape, breeders cannot be called unreasonable if 

 they limit themselves to that weight. It does not follow that because a 

 Skye weighs 201b. he must necessarily be of large size. Bone and muscle 

 weigh well, and if he has plenty of these, properly put together, he will 

 look smaller than an ill-made dog four or five pounds lighter. This holds 

 true, to a certain extent, with all breeds. 



" Speed is not so much necessary with the Skye as strength The 



