SIZE OF FOX-TERRIERS. 297 



"When in former times I exhibited with considerable success Trimmer, Bellona, Bitters, 

 Lancer, Vandal, Pincers, and others, varying from 15 Ibs. to 17 Ibs. each, disappointed exhibitors 

 raised an outcry against them because they said they were ' too small,' ' mere toys,' &c. 

 Larger and coarser dogs then came to the front, and a new generation of judges regarded 

 them with favour, till the encouragement they met with has ended in the official 

 acknowledgment of the large dogs by special classes being provided for them. It may be 

 true that several of the dogs I have alluded to above would have been better with a little 

 stronger bone, but they were about the proper size for Fox-terriers. When, however, we look 

 at weight we should take size into consideration. A dog may not be so large as another, and 

 yet weigh more from having more bone and muscle. Another important point as regards the 

 practical use of the Fox-terrier is height : he should not exceed thirteen to fourteen inches at 

 shoulder."' 



Mr. W. J. Tredennick, of St. Austell, Cornwall, also writes : 



"On the point of size a Terrier that scales 18 Ibs. in ordinary condition will certainly 

 disappoint its owner if he uses it for fox or badger, and even at 16 Ibs. it must be built 

 on good lines, having a narrow chest to be able to perform its duties without being laid 

 up a distance from its quarry. It is not impossible as I believe some imagine to get the 

 l6-lb. Terrier without its being a Toy." 



Mr. Edward Ker supports these two gentlemen in the following words : 



" A fox is an animal which, with his large pricked ears, lengthy limbs, dense fur, and 

 handsome brush, covers a deal of ground, and has the clearance of being about the size of 

 a small-sized Scotch Collie. But if you carefully pick him to pieces you will see that deduct- 

 ing the head, legs, and brush, leaves a mere shadow of a body. He is both very narrow and 

 very shallow in his chest ; his neck at the base of the skull is about the thickest part of 

 him ; his shoulders are exceedingly oblique, and, standing in front of him, you will notice 

 his chest is so narrow that his fore-legs nearly touch each other. If you will then feel 

 him all over you will find that there is not a particle of stiffness about him ; he seems to 

 sink to the touch, and be a mere bag of bones in a skin. Wherever these vermin the 

 fox, otter, badger, polecat, or stoat can get their head and fore-paws, their bodies will follow. 

 The biggest dog fox ever was seen can go up a six-inch pipe, and what is more, I witnessed 

 a badger weighing 35 Ibs. (one of the largest I ever saw) pass through a six-inch pipe." 



On the other side Mr. Robert Vicary occupies a prominent position. He commences 

 most practically by giving a list of Terriers who have distinguished themselves running to 

 hounds, whose weights vary from 17 Ibs. to 20 J Ibs. Of course such dogs are capable of 

 travelling fast enough to keep up with the pack, and have not to be carried in panniers as 

 is the practice in certain hunts where very small Terriers are used. The Rev. John Russell, 

 whose practical experience on hunting is unlimited, is also a supporter of Mr. Vicary, for he 

 says: "The weights of Fox-terriers should not be under 17 Ibs. nor over 20 Ibs." Jack 

 Morgan writes from the Grove kennel, " Fox-terriers should not be less than 18 Ibs. Grove 

 Nettle was 18 Ibs., Grove Trimmer 19 Ibs." This was in working condition. In spite, 

 however, of such authorities differing from us, we must adhere to our formerly-expressed 

 opinion, and maintain that the best weight is 17 Ibs. for a dog, and 16 Ibs. for a bitch 

 Fox-terrier. 



Nevertheless, with a view to lay before our readers a record of the measurements of some of 

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