The Fox Terrier. 



CHAPTER I. 



Introductory — Old Writers on Terriers — " The 

 Fox Terrier," 1806 — The Value of Terriers a 

 Century ago — Colour of Fox Terriers — Their 

 Varieties — Modern Comparisons. 



ITH the fashion changing in dogs pretty nearly 

 as frequently as it does in dress, there is little 

 wonder that the fox terrier of the present dac- 

 has become a different animal in appearance from the one 

 so regular an attendant with packs of hounds a century 

 ago. Now, in nine cases out of ten, he is produced for his 

 beauty alone, for his symmetry, for his graceful contour, 

 for his endearing disposition. When our great grand- 

 fathers lived, and before they were born, the fox terrier, 

 bred for use, was only considered an ornament when he 

 went to ground well, was able to successfully battle with 

 the fox or the badger, and kill single-handed the foulmart 

 (or polecat) and other predaceous vermin. So the fox 

 terrier must have a history ; possibly, if he did not contain 

 at any rate some little portion of blue blood, an aristo- 

 cratic lineage, one of his charms as a smart and lively 

 companion might be missing. 



