THE FOX-TERRIER 447 



A very usual time for a selection to be called for, in the case 

 of novices, is when the puppies are fit to be taken away from the 

 mother, though it must be stated that breeders of really good stock 

 wait until some months have elapsed before hastily discarding any 

 puppy. By the age of six months, however, the owner should be 

 able with a fair amount of accuracy to judge as to the individual 

 merits of his young stock. Those who breed large numbers of 

 Fox-terriers generally put out the puppies to walk with some re- 

 sponsible person, paying them a small fee for the trouble, and 

 encouragement-money should an individual develop into a really 

 first-class specimen. First as to the head : this should give promise 

 of being of a good length, the eyes should be dark, and the ears 

 of medium length. Later it must be remembered that the ears 

 may look out of proportion to the head, yet ultimately the dog 

 may " finish " properly. The reason of this is that the ears may 

 be more developed than the head ; in fact, they may cease to 

 grow while the head continues to lengthen. This is not at all an 

 uncommon experience. From the outset the fore legs should be 

 straight and the feet compact ; there should also be indications of 

 plenty of bone. Shortness of body is another point that must 

 be taken into consideration. Coat, too, is important : this must not 

 be heavy on very young puppies, but // must be of good' texture. 

 It becomes harder after the puppy-moult, which takes place at 

 various ages, but usually between ten and twelve months. From 

 the first, however, there must be the promise of a hard jacket. Too 

 much notice must not be taken of the ear-carriage of very young 

 puppies, as they frequently carry their ears indifferently while 

 teething. 



Many inquiries should be made of the seller, and the buyer 

 should be very particular as to pedigree and any family defects. 

 These of course should be made before and not after the purchase, 

 as seems to be the general rule with novices. If the bitch comes 

 from stock that throws progeny with notoriously heavy coats, or 

 is inclined to be rickety (a veterinary surgeon could determine 

 this), or if she has any other weakness likely to be transmissible 

 to her offspring, she is best avoided. 



To purchase from a breeder of repute will be found a far more 

 satisfactory plan for a beginner to adopt than to be tempted with 

 a " sure winner " at a ridiculously low sum. The prospective 

 purchaser should never be deluded into thinking that a first-rate 

 dog is to be obtained for the modest " fiver," or a "flyer" at double 

 that figure. Sixty years ago such sums perhaps represented the 

 market value of such animals ; but different times different prices, 

 and to-day very occasionally, it is true dogs may be picked up 

 in remote districts where dog shows have not penetrated, or where 

 dog clubs and the fanciers' press have yet to make their influence 



