CHAPTER XLVIII 

 THE MINIATURE BREEDS 



EXCEPT in the matter of size, the general appearance and 

 qualifications of the Miniature Black and Tan Terrier should be 

 as nearly like the larger breed as possible, for the standard of 

 points applies to both varieties, excepting that erect, or what 

 are commonly known as tulip ears, of semi-erect carriage, are 

 permissible in the miniatures. The officially recognised weight 

 for the toy variety is given as " under seven pounds," but none 

 of the most prominent present-day winners reach anything 

 like that weight ; some in fact are little more than half of it, 

 and the great majority are between 4 Ib. and 5 Ib. 



Probably the most popular specimens of the miniature 

 Black and Tan at the present time are Mr. Whaley's Glenart- 

 ney Sport and Mr. Richmond's Merry Atom. Merry Atom is 

 only 4J Ib. in weight, and he is beautifully proportioned, with 

 a fine, long head, a small, dark eye, small ears, and the true 

 type of body. His markings of deep black and rich tan are 

 good, and his coat is entirely free from the bare patches which 

 so often mar the appearance of these toys, giving the 

 suggestion of delicacy. 



The Miniature Black and Tan is certainly not a robust dog, 

 and he has lost much of the terrier boisterousness of character 

 by reason of being pampered and coddled ; but it is a fallacy 

 to suppose that he is necessarily delicate. He requires to be 

 kept warm, but exercise is better for him than eiderdown quilts 

 and silken cushions, and judicious feeding will protect him from 

 the skin diseases to which he is believed to be liable. Under 

 proper treatment he is no more delicate than any other toy 

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