290 Modern Dogs. 



language, that the Dandle Dinmont was degenerating. 

 He said : " Dandie Dinmont terrier fanciers talk of 

 the great improvement that has taken place in their 

 favourite breed during the last decade. We fail to 

 see it. Our opinion is that we are fast losing the 

 points that go to make a good Dandie Dinmont. 

 The large, full, dark expressive eye, which displays 

 so much affection and strength of character some 

 would call it 'dourness' is unfortunately too seldom 

 seen ; the large full-domed skull is equally rare; and 

 for one that has a good arched back there are dozens 

 that are as flat as a Skye terrier. Bone, legs, and 

 feet are also in need of improvement. These cannot 

 be made by the aid of finger and thumb, so are 

 allowed to go from bad to worse. The cause of 

 the degeneracy we cannot tell. Faulty judging has 

 certainly something to do with it, and if something is 

 not done the strong-boned, small-sized, big-eyed, 

 silver-domed terrier will be a thing of the past." 

 Words like these from an authority on the breed 

 must have weight, and ought to be borne in mind, 

 but dog breeders are almost as obstinate in their 

 fancies as a woman is in the choice of a bonnet or 

 mantle. 



As a companion, the Dandie Dinmont terrier is 

 quite satisfactory. He is game, intelligent, as a rule 

 free from vice, and no more addicted to a fight than 



