EARL? SHOW TERRIERS. 277 



annals. Now, it may be impossible to trace the origin of the modern show Terrier to these dogs 

 in each particular instance. But when we know that a well-recognised breed existed some 

 forty years ago, and that dogs are now found possessing precisely the same characteristics, it 

 is hardly too much to assume that the breed has gone on in direct succession. It is worth notice 

 that many of these old Terriers were black-and-tan. The sire of Old Trap, for example, was a 

 black-and-tan dog ; yet, I have been assured on good authority, a true Fox-terrier. I have 

 certainly found, myself, that breeding closely to the Old Trap blood is apt to produce heavy 

 markings. Mr. Gibson also once told me that he had got a litter of black-and-tan pups by 

 Trap out of a white bitch. Indeed, I have little doubt that any enthusiast who took the trouble 

 might, if he cared, re-establish the old black-and-tan breed by careful selection. But, of course, 

 as every one knows, the white dog is the most easily seen, and therefore far the best for cover 

 shooting and general purposes, and so, by the process of "survival of the fittest," he has 

 extinguished the old black-and-tan type. The writer in the journal to whom I before 

 referred mentions a picture of one of these black-and-tan dogs, in which he is represented as a 

 thorough Terrier, according to modern notions, in every respect save colour. The tradition of his 

 exploits with a badger has also survived. I may mention that I have actually seen a black- 

 and-tan Terrier in the flesh to whom the same description would apply. He, I was assured, 

 came from a distinct black-and-tan strain now almost extinct. 



I may mention one fact, as illustrating strongly to my mind the connection between the 

 modern show Terrier and the kennel Terrier of twenty or thirty years ago. Every one who is 

 familiar with modern show Terriers knows Mr. Burbidge's Fan. A more thorough Terrier, in 

 expression and general appearance, it would be impossible to find. Her pedigree goes back for 

 several generations through well-recognised lines, chiefly to the kennel Terriers of the Grove 

 hounds. Yet, except Old Jock, who, as is well known, was bred at the Ruffbrd kennels, there is 

 not a single show dog in her pedigree. This, I think, makes pretty strongly for my view that 

 the modern show Fox-terrier (when good) owes his origin, not, as some would have us believe, to 

 ingeniously-welded crosses of Bull-terrier, Beagle, &c., but to the old kennel Terrier of thirty 

 years back. No doubt fair imitations of Terriers may be produced by the " manufacturing " 

 process, but no man can hope to breed from them with success unless he expects the laws of 

 Nature to be suspended for his special benefit. 



I will now pass from the region of speculation to that of actual fact, and deal with the show 

 Terrier as we have known him during the last ten or twelve years in fact, since shows became 

 an institution. Before going into details, however, it may be as well to say a few words as to the 

 general character of show Terriers and the changes which they have undergone. At the outset of 

 dog shows the prize winners were simply the best-looking kennel Terriers. The Grove contri- 

 buted Old Jock and Grove Nettle, the Oakley Old Trap, and the Quorn Psyche. Very soon, 

 however, the demand outran the supply. Fox-terriers became the fashion, and suffered accord- 

 ingly. People were found ready to give ^30 or 40, and even more, for actual or possible 

 prize-winners, and pups with any pretence to merit were bought up greedily. The result was 

 that the market was speedily filled with dogs who had no claim whatever to the title of Fox- 

 terriers. This soon made itself felt on the show benches. Dogs either far too fine, or light 

 of bone, or far too heavy for work, won prizes, and multiplied their kind. A well-marked head 

 was regarded as a far more important point than such trifles as feet and coat. All definite- 

 ness of type was lost. One year toys reigned supreme, next season giants had their day. The 

 true Terrier seemed in danger of extinction, and was probably only preserved by one or two 

 persons who went on breeding the right type patiently with very little immediate reward. 



