CHAPTER XII 



FOX TERRIERS 



While it requires something of a conscious 

 effort on the part of owners to make a practical 

 sporting dog of the fox terrier in America, the 

 wide distribution and great numbers of this breed 

 literally force a special attention. Leaving out 

 mongrel hounds and bird dogs of doubtful ex- 

 traction, it would seem that, taking the country- 

 over, fox terriers outnumber any other well-de- 

 fined breed of dogs. Their sporty appearance 

 and the ease with which they are kept seem to 

 present attractions to all kinds of people. 



Since visiting at a friend's place in the coun- 

 try some months ago, I feel compelled to give 

 fox terriers a position among true sporting dogs. 

 This gentleman has a large property and man- 

 ages a still larger adjacent estate belonging to 

 female heirs. He has a dozen fox terriers about 

 his place and will not admit any other dog. His 

 reasons for settling down on these terriers invite 

 reflection. He says that they are more agreeable 

 company, are better watch-dogs, do not suck eggs 

 or worry sheep, stay at home, are hardier and less 



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