CHAPTER XXXVIII 



THE AUSTRALIAN TERRIER 



IT is now some thirty years ago since some Antipo- 

 dean enthusiasts started to produce a little terrier, 

 which would be a useful, companionable dog, with 

 a coat not too heavy for, a hot climate. At first 

 things moved slowly, and it took about a, decade 

 before results were achieved which satisfied the 

 pioneers. Since then matters have advanced with 

 such rapidity that at a recent Sydney show no fewer 

 than 250 Australian Terriers were benched. This 

 is truly remarkable record, and a; dog that has 

 acquired so much popularity in the land of his origin 

 calls for notice in this work. Mrs. J. R. Wood was 

 the first to introduce the variety to this country in 

 1907, and, naturally, a good deal of interest was 

 excited when they were first benched. They are lively, 

 little creatures with plenty of fire and dash, standing 

 on shortish legs which make the body appear longer 

 than it really is. There is still some divergence in 

 type, accountable for, by the fact that New South 

 Wales and Victorian breeders dp not seem to have 

 quite the same standard in mind. The dog liked by 

 the latter is somewhat smaller, more vivacious, and 

 prick-eared. The New South Wales dog is heavier 



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