286 RABBITS, CATS, AND CAVIES 



the Yorkshire Toy Terrier, then the Maltese Terrier, and 

 lastly the Skye Terrier, the two first-named being small 

 breeds, occasionally seen as low in weight as four pounds, 

 but a small Skye Terrier would be nine or ten pounds at 

 least, and most of the winners at the present day would 

 run to twenty pounds and over. 



No one should take up this variety unless either pre- 

 pared to give them personal and individual attention, or 

 having reliable attendants, with requisite knowledge to 

 enable them to do so. 



Every specimen intended for show purposes should be 

 gone over every day ; the pigs soon become used to be 

 handled, and will give no trouble at all if gently treated. 



Combing must not be attempted, as the coats are very 

 lightly attached to the skin, and will soon be much 

 injured by the hair pulled out in the teeth of the comb. 



I have found the best plan of dealing with them is to 

 hold them on the extended palm of the left hand, and 

 brush the coats downward with an ordinary hair brush 

 with long bristles to it (not a wire brush, which is apt to 

 have the same effect as a comb), going over it all round 

 until it feels soft and clear to the touch. 



This in my opinion is better than putting the little 

 animal on a table or shelf, where it is not likely to keep 

 quite still during the operation, and may possibly pick up 

 something in its coat ; the whole affair if done daily need 

 not occupy more than a few minutes, but it will save a 

 deal of trouble afterwards. 



Contrary to what may be supposed from its abundant 

 coat, this variety is thought to be the least hardy of the 



