TERRIERS AT WORK. 47 



But apart from the extravagances of fashion, 

 the terrier is a bright, clever, and affectionate 

 dog, strong and enduring, and with his mercurial 

 temperament kept in check by the kindly dis- 

 cipline of kennel life, and a natural outlet for his 

 high spirits in the field. It is of the kennel 

 terrier, then, as I have had him, keen and eager 

 for sport and ready to hunt the rabbit, swim after 

 the otter, or drive the fox or badger from his 

 earth, that I shall speak. 



The working terrier is no exception to the rule 

 that careful training is necessary to enable him 

 to exercise in the most efficient way his natural 

 powers of body and mind, and only those dogs 

 whose natural powers have not been deteriorated 

 by want of care in the mating of their parents, 

 or in the surroundings of their own early days, 

 can give the best response to their preparation 

 for their work in the field. A dog that should 

 give the best results to the care bestowed upon 

 him should not be much over 14 inches or weigh 

 more than 18 lb. A size even smaller than this 

 is better, but on no account must he be light 

 and weedy, or in any degree toyish - looking in 

 appearance. On the other hand, there is no 

 reason why a working terrier should not be as 

 good - looking as he is useful, for with a little 

 care in breeding, a smart, handsome, and intelli- 

 gent-looking little fellow can soon be arrived at. 



A terrier's head should be of medium length, 

 with plenty of room for brains, or he will fail to 



