THE SMALL DOGS 169 



desirable in the family. The black-and-tan, a 

 bundle of frolic and liveliness, is perhaps the 

 most familiar. He now comes within the 

 reach of many who are not able to indulge in 

 the latest canine fancy, and is just as valuable 

 in the household as when he was rare and 

 costly. He is clean, and requires little care, 

 because of his short coat. He does not dis- 

 figure the cushions with white hairs, as does 

 the fox-terrier, and a burglar need be a master 

 indeed who could enter a house which he 

 guards. The black-and-tan will live and be 

 happy under conditions that many dogs could 

 not endure, in doors or out, cuddled, blanketed, 

 and ribboned, or left to look out for himself, 

 and he does not lose his temper or mope in 

 either case. " Rats " is the magic word that 

 will rouse every fibre of his being, and to de- 

 stroy them in his ruling passion. 



This dog has become so common that mon- 

 grels are every day seen, and one who desires 

 a pure-blooded animal should look carefully 

 to his points. His weight should not be over 

 twenty pounds, and considerably less is bet- 

 ter; his coat shining, but not soft, and his tail 

 should not curl. In color he must be glossy 



