232 The Fox Terrier. 



advanced as quickly as the railways did, and now over 

 a hundred and fifty of one kind or another are held during 

 each year, some of which are confined entirely to that 

 variety of dog to whose merits I have endeavoured to do 

 justice. Canine gatherings have naturally their defects, 

 but, so long as honourably conducted, they must continue 

 to possess an improving influence on " dogdom " generally. 



There was a time when many of our best dogs were in 

 the hands of those who kept them solely for the purposes 

 of profit, and whether that profit was obtained by sale, rat- 

 killing, or fighting, made little matter, so long as the money 

 came to hand. The only shows were those held in public- 

 house parlours; and to be known as the owner of half 

 a dozen terriers was tantamount to being considered 

 " fast," and having a liking for low company. Thus, no 

 doubt, was derived the expression " going to the dogs." 

 All this is altered now. 



Well-bred terriers and other varieties have become 

 fashionable, and it is almost as difficult to find a house 

 without a dog as guard and companion as it is to find one 

 without a cat to kill the mice. Dog shows have provided 

 pure-bred animals, and the fox terrier has proved himself 

 the most popular of all. His colour is white, and so the 

 careful housewife can readily see when her pet requires 

 tubbing, and his short coat carries less filth than that of the 

 Skve terrier or any of his Scottish, Welsh, or Irish cousins. 

 I do not know where we should have been with our dogs had 

 not the shows been introduced when they were. Mongrels 

 would, no doubt, have continued in favour, and certainly 

 there could have been little incentive for breeders to take 

 the trouble they now do in the production of the most 

 perfect specimens. Let grumblers rail as they will, I 



