POINTS OF SCOTCH TERRIERS. 135 



"When off duty unlike the shambling drawing-room terrier out for an airing he is 

 sprightly, vigorous and gay, full of life and activity, the slightest attention paid him 

 occasioning the most demonstrative delight ; no day is too long for him ; he is naturally 

 mild-tempered and under ordinary circumstances not quarrelsome, although able to hold 

 his own in an 'emergency;' he is a wonderful follower, even in puppyhood, a very 

 valuable qualification when introduced to city life. 



" The comparative scarcity of vermin in the Highlands shows how effectually the Scotch 

 Terrier has done his work, and the recent neglect of this hardy little mountaineer may 

 be attributed to the very fact that he has in a great measure outlived his occupation. 



" While advocating the judging of working dogs by their performances in the field principally, 

 it is necessary to erect a general standard of excellence for awards in the ring, and this can 

 best be arrived at by a careful study of the points necessary to enable each breed to fill in 

 the most efficient manner the sphere it has to occupy. I give the following description of 

 the general appearance and points of the Hard-haired Scotch Terrier from dogs acknowledged 

 to be good specimens by veteran breeders, whose testimony being the outcome of personal 

 experience is entitled to be considered of the highest value ; these points have also been 

 adopted by the present generation of Scotch Terrier fanciers as correct : 



POINTS OF THE SCOTCH TERRIER. 



" The General Appearance is that of a thick-set, compact, short-coated terrier, standing about 

 9| inches high, with body long in comparison, and averaging i61bs. or i/lbs. weight for dogs, 

 and albs, less for bitches; with ears and tail uncut. Although in reality no higher at shoulder 

 than the Skye or Dandie Dinmont, it has a leggier appearance, from the fact that the coat 

 is much shorter than in these two varieties. The head is carried pretty high, showing an 

 intelligent, cheery face. 



"The Temperament. An incessant restlessness and perpetual motion, accompanied by an 

 eager look, asking plainly for the word of command ; a muscular form, fitting him for the 

 most arduous work ; and sagacity, intelligence, and courage to make the most of the 

 situation, qualify the Scotch Terrier for the role of ' friend of the family,' or ' companion 

 in arms ' amicus humani generis in a sense unsurpassed by any other dog, large or small. 



" The Head is longish and bold rather than round, and is full between the eyes ; it 

 is free from long, soft, or woolly hair, or top-knot, and is smaller in the bitch than 

 in the dog. 



" The Muzzle is a most important point, and should be long and very powerful, tapering 

 slightly to the nose, which should be well formed, well spread over the muzzle, and 

 invariably black ; there must be no approach to snipishness ; the teeth should be perfectly 

 level in front, neither being under or over shot, canines fitting well together. A mouth off 

 the level should not altogether disqualify, as this fault is often met with in the very best 

 blood ; however, it must always be considered very objectionable. The roof of the mouth 

 is almost invariably black. 



" The Eyes are very small, well sunk in the head, dark hazel, bright and expressive, 

 with heavy eyebrows. 



" The Ears are very small and free from long hair, feather, or fringe ; in fact, as a 

 rule, rather bare of hair ; they are either carried erect, or semi-erect, the latter preferred for 

 a workman never drop-eared and never cut. 



