The White English Terrier. 3^5 



CHAPTER XXVI. THE WHITE ENGLISH 

 TERRIER. 



BY COBSINCON. 



THE white English terrier, like many other breeds, has undergone consi- 

 derable modification since public dog shows came into being. How 

 the modern dog of that name was manufactured I do not pretend 

 to say with certainty. Mr. James Eoocroft, Mr. Peter Swindells, and 

 a few other Lancashire fanciers could throw light on the subject, but I 

 shall not be very far out if I say a small dash of a light coloured and 

 rather weedy foz terrier, a strong dash of bull terrier, and a double dash 

 of whippet are about the proportions, and the correct ingredients used. 



The dog shown in the early days of exhibitions was a comparatively 

 thick-headed and a heavier made dog than those of to-day. The 

 Lancashire breeders appear to have taken the black and tan terrier as 

 their model, and moulded the white terrier to his form, and it was a good 

 line to take, and the idea has been worked out with considerable success, 

 although in many specimens we are still unpleasantly reminded of the 

 Italian greyhound in the wheel back and hooped tail that take off from 

 their terrier character. 



Among the old show celebrities, Mr. Walker's (of Bolton) Old Tim 

 stood high, winning at all the principal shows, and sired some good ones, 

 some of his own name, whilst a host of others were called after him 

 for, in nomenclature, dog fanciers are as imitative as parrots. Gem, by 

 Old Tim, out of Swindell's Empress, was another great success in the 

 ring, and his son Joe, out of Pink, was like his sire and dam, a great 

 prize winner indeed, when the three last named were in one kennel and 

 at their best, they were invincible. Since they went off from their best 

 form, Eoocroft's, now Mr. Alfred Benjamin's Sylph and her son Silvio 

 by Joe have held supreme sway, and Mr. Mather's Vril and his Snow 

 have also at recent shows taken premier honours. These may all be 

 said to be of the same blood, being more or less related, and close in- 

 breeding will still be of advantage in fixing the type that it has been the 

 desire to establish. 



