CHAPTER XXXIX 

 THE SCOTTISH TERRIER 



SCOTLAND is prolific in Terriers, and for the most part these are 

 long-backed and short-legged dogs. Such are the Dandie Dinmont, 

 the Skye, and the Aberdeen Terriers, the last now merged in the 

 class recognised at our shows as the Scottish, or Scotch, Terrier ; but 

 the old hard and short-haired "Terry" of the West of Scotland 

 was much nearer in shape to a modern Fox-terrier, though with a 

 shorter and rounder head, the colour of his hard, wiry coat mostly 

 sandy, the face free from long hair, although some show a beard, 

 and the small ears carried in most instances semi-erect, in some 

 pricked. 



The descriptions given by Youatt, Richardson, and " Stonehenge " 

 are in practical agreement, and apply to the kind of Terrier spoken 

 of. There has, however, been of late years a rearrangement of 

 classes of Terriers, and it is with those now recognised by the several 

 clubs and show authorities that we have to deal. 



The dogs now recognised as Scotch Terriers are closely allied 

 to the Skye Terrier, and by a number of gentlemen of Skye and 

 the South-west Highlands were at one time called Skye Terriers. 

 It was suggested that, as they presented sufficiently distinctive 

 characteristics, they might form a separate class at our shows, under 

 the name of Highland Terriers. The idea, but not the name, was 

 adopted ; indeed, the name has given rise to some discussion. 

 Cairn Terrier was suggested, but not generally adopted; they have- 

 also been called the " Die-hards." 



" Whinstone " insisted on the breed being called the Scottish 

 Terrier. Under the words "Scots" and "Scottish" Dr. Ogilvie 

 refers those who consult this dictionary to " Scotch," which, he 

 says, " is the established word." As long as we get Scotch collops 

 from Scotch bullocks, and Scotch whiskey from Scotch barley, to 

 aid the digestion of the collops, we may surely have Scotch Terriers ; 

 and, at all events, the Terrier under any name will bite as sore. 



Mr. J. Gordon Murray, in the First Edition of " British Dogs," 

 described three strains of these Terriers, according to the localities 



