2 12 The Fox Terrier. 



hood of his turning out a sensible animal. There are 

 imbecile dogs as there are human beings, and no amount of 

 treatment will in either case make the unfortunate creature 

 sensible. Such a dog is better put out of harm's way, for 

 all he can do is to eat, and to drink, and to sleep he even 

 fails to learn how to open a semi-closed door ; and killing 

 a rat, driving a fox, or protecting the house from thieves 

 the ordinary duties of any fox terrier are accomplishments 

 he w r ill never attain. An imbecile dog may win a prize on 

 a show bench for the simple reason that the judge has no 

 opportunity of ascertaining his mental capacity ; but he 

 can prove mischievous even here, and had better be 

 destroyed. 



