260 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



from pure white to fawn and brown, blue-grey and black. 

 The lighter coloured ones had black muzzles, ears, and tails. 

 Their tails were carried more gaily than would be permitted 

 by a modern judge of the breed. 



In those days the Highlander cared less for the appearance 

 than he did for the sporting proclivities of his dogs, whose 

 business it was to oust the tod from the earth in which it 

 had taken refuge ; and for this purpose certain qualities were 

 imperative. First and foremost the terrier needed to be 

 small, short of leg, long and lithe in body, with ample face 

 fringe to protect his eyes from injury, and possessed of 

 unlimited pluck and dash. 



The Skye Terrier of to-day does not answer to each and 

 every one of these requirements. He is too big decidedly he 

 is too big especially in regard to the head. A noble-looking 

 skull, with large, well-feathered ears may be admirable as 

 ornament, but would assuredly debar its possessor from follow- 

 ing into a fox's lair among the boulders. Then, again, his 

 long coat would militate against the activity necessary for 

 his legitimate calling. 



It was not until about 1860 that the Skye Terrier attracted 

 much notice among dog lovers south of the Border, but Queen 

 Victoria's admiration of the breed, of which from 1842 on- 

 wards she always owned favourite specimens, and Sir Edwin 

 Landseer's paintings in which the Skye was introduced, had 

 already drawn public attention to the decorative and useful 

 qualities of this terrier. The breed was included in the 

 first volume of the Kennel Club Stud Book, and the best among 

 the early dogs were such as Mr. Pratt 's Gillie and Dun vegan, 

 Mr. D. W. Fyfe's Novelty, Mr. John Bowman's Dandie, and 

 Mr. Macdona's Rook. These were mostly of the drop-eared 

 variety, and were bred small. 



About the year 1874, fierce and stormy disputes arose 

 concerning the distinctions of the Scottish breeds of terriers. 

 The controversy was continued until 1879, when the Kennel 

 Club was approached with the view to furnishing classes. 



