THE SHORT-HAIRED SKYE TERRIER 153 



passed muster in those days. This bitch was a 

 broken-haired little terrier, but with a coat inches 

 shorter than that of the modern Skye. Her eyes 

 were easily discernible, and she had semi -erect ears. 

 Mrs. Alastair Campbell of Ardrishaig, Argyll, who 

 has been responsible for. introducing these little 

 terriers to our notice, sends me the following letter 

 about them, dated June 2, 1909, and I cannot do 

 better than finish this chapter by quoting what she 

 has to say. The photograph reproduced will give one 

 a good idea of the make and shape of the dogs. 

 " These old cairn terriers have been mentioned as 

 being hunted with in Skye in the sixteenth century. 

 The present breeders trace back for eighty years in 

 Skye. The best known kennels are the Drynoch, 

 owned and hunted by the late Captain McLeod of 

 Drynoch ; from these come those I exhibit. The late 

 Captain Macdonald, of Waternish, had a celebrated 

 pack ; the present laird still keeps them. From 

 both these come the best terriers in Skye and else- 

 where. The Kilbride, kept by the late Dr. Mackin- 

 non, have died out. On the west coast were the 

 Roseneath and Poltalloch ; I hear from the Duke of 

 Argyll that the former also are no more. The latter 

 are now all white. In nature they are very active, 

 their movements free and swift. They can climb 

 like cats over rocks and cairns, and if caught in 

 these, even after two days will come out lively. Those 

 who use them for hunting say that they prefer the 

 lighter dog for bolting, and they often kill well 

 both otter and fox. The points are : Legs low and 

 light in bone ; the sinews should be strong, and the 

 dog should stand rather forward on forelegs. The 

 fore paws must be larger than the hind, but neither 



