THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. 209 



without long and careful weighing of the evidence pro and con., and in spite of 

 the old theory that the Dandie was originally produced from a cross of the Scotch 

 terrier with the otterhound, which would support the opinion that he always 

 has possessed ears as long as those now met with in all the best specimens of 

 the breed. At all events I have, as I think fairly, delivered myself of the 

 arguments on both sides of the question, and shall leave the dachshund cross to 

 be accepted or rejected, with the statement that in my opinion it is purely a 

 matter of curiosity, and not of the slightest real importance. For, even granting 

 the truth of the above conclusions, we must now take the dog as we find him, 

 and a very game and companionable dog he is ; generally under fair control, but 

 almost always showing a tendency to have his own way. He is an excellent 

 ratter, but apt to be severe on ferrets, from which he is not very easily broken, 

 and in the case of such a temperament as Rhoderick Dhu's it would be useless 

 to attempt it. This dog has left no stock behind him, so that I am not injuring 

 the reputation of any living animal by the above remarks, which are only made in 

 elucidation of what I consider a mystery connected with this breed. 



In the following letter afterwards published in The Field, Mr. Bradshaw Smith 

 denies this asserted elongation of the body and ears of the Dandie, and also of 

 the dachshund cross ; and, as his authority stands deservedly at the highest point, 

 I insert it at length, though I confess I am not convinced on either of these points, 

 as my memory is quite distinct upon the elongation, and is supported by the 

 portraits of Sir Walter Scott's dog, which are easily referred to for confirmation : 



" SIR, If not trespassing too much on your valuable space I may here be 

 allowed to show how I first became possessed of this historic breed. 



" During my residence in Roxburghshire my fancy was greatly taken by several 

 specimens I saw of this game little animal. In 1841 I bought the first Dandie I 

 ever possessed, and since that date I have no hesitation in stating that more 

 Dandie Dinmonts have passed through my hands than through those of any half 

 dozen of fanciers. I feel myself competent, therefore, to give a decided opinion 

 on the article penned by ' Stonehenge,' although it be at variance with his remarks. 



" In the first place it seems to me an entire mistake on his part that the 

 Dandie Dinmont of the present day is longer in the body than formerly. My 

 observation tends rather in an opposite direction. 



" Secondly, a strong characteristic of the breed has ever been tenacity of 

 purpose, and I have only known two of my dogs which could be taught at command 

 to leave the trail of either fox or rabbit ; certainly it would be a hopeless task to 

 prevent a Dandie Dinmont from engaging with a fox were an opportunity to 

 offer. I consider the animal as naturally good-tempered, but when once roused 

 he is ready to seize hold of anything within reach. When I first kept these dogs 

 I was ignorant of their extremely excitable -nature, and had many killed from 

 time to time in fights, either in the kennels or at the entrance of rabbit holes; 

 in short, when once their blood is fairly up they become utterly unmanageable. On 

 this account for years past (though I keep a number) I do not allow more than 



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