THE TERRIER 87 



its color varies between a uniform reddish fawn and different brindlings 

 and patches of dark and white. The voice is peculiarly deep and mel- 

 low. The height of this animal is generally from twenty-five to twenty- 

 eight inches, but sometimes exceeds these dimensions. One of these 

 Dogs was no less than thirty-three inches in height at the shoulder, 

 measured fifty inches round his body, and weighed a hundred and 

 seventy-five pounds. 



The Terrier, with all its numerous variations of crossed and mon- 

 grel breeds, is more generally known in England tliau any other kind 

 of Dog. Of the recognized breeds, four are generally acknowledged — 

 namely, the English and Scotch Terriers, the Skye, and the little Toy 

 Terrier. 



The English Terrier possesses a smooth coat, a tapering muzzle, a 

 high forehead, a bright intelligent eye, and a strong muscular jaw. As 

 its instinct leads it to dig in the ground, its shoulders and fore-legs are 

 well developed, and it is able to make quite a deep burrow in a mar- 

 vellously short time, throwing out the loose earth with its feet, and 

 dragging away the stones and other large substances in its mouth. 

 It is not a large Dog, seldom weighing more than ten pounds, and 

 often hardly exceeding the moiety of that weight. 



The color of the pure English Terrier is generally black and tan, the 

 richness of the two tints determining much of the animal's value. The 

 nose and the palate of the Dog ought to be always black, and over each 

 eye a small patch of tan color. The tail ought to be rather long and 

 very fine, and the legs as light as is consistent with strength. 



The quaint-looking Skye Terrier has of late years been much af- 

 fected by all classes of dog-owners, and for many reasons deserves the 

 popularity which it has obtained. 



When of pure breed the legs are very short, and the body extremely 

 long in proportion to the length of the limb ; the neck is powerfully 

 made, but of considerable length ; and the head is also rather elon- 

 gated, so that the total length of the animal is three times as great as 

 its height. The " dew-claws " are wanting in this variety of domestic 

 Dog. The hair is long and straight, falling heavily over the body and 

 limbs, and hanging so thickly upon the face that the eyes and nose are 

 hardly perceptible under their luxuriant covering. The quality of the 

 hair is rather harsh and wiry in the pure-bred Skye Terrier. 



The size of this animal is rather small, but it ought not to imitate the 

 minute proportions of many " toy " Dogs. Its weight ought to range 

 from ten to seventeen or eighteen pounds. Even amongst these an- 

 imals there are at least two distinct breeds, while some dog-fanciers 

 establish a third. 



It is an amusing and clever Dog, and admirably adapted for the 

 companionship of mankind, being faithful and affectionate in disposi- 



