100 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 
During the present year (1886) the special Club formed for the. 
purpose, have drawn up a code of points almost entirely in accord- 
ance with those I published in the last edition, the only alteration 
being the substitution of “ height” for “length » and of “ body ” for 
“symmetry,” which really amount to the same, for height can only 
be comparative with length, or length with height. I prefer, how- 
ever, to substitute the whole of the description as accepted by the 
Club, which is as follows :— 
» Tue Skye Terrier. 
Introductory Remarks—The “Skye Terrier” proper is a vermin 
dog, and is admirably adapted for his work, which, as is well 
known, is to enter vermin burrows, and make his way where larger 
dogs, or those of a different formation, would be unable to penetrate. 
He has necessarily very strong legs, short in proportion to the 
length of the body, which is long and measures well in girth. He 
possesses a keen scent, and in disposition is determined and 
courageous. Having a strong and muscular jaw, he is enabled to 
grip tenaciously. Dame Nature has provided this breed with an 
ample covering all over, and from the thickness and hard wet- 
resisting quality of his coat, the Skye can face with impunity 
almost any degree of cold to which he may be exposed in this 
country. The majority of Skyes are drop-eared, and the only dis- 
tinction between the drop and prick-eared Jarieties consists in the 
muscular action of the ear. For sagacity, faithfulness, and attach- 
ment to their masters they are probably not excelled by any 
member of the canine species, and as house guards they are 
invaluable, their hearing being very acute. 
In some districts of the Highlands of Scotland Skyes are bred, and 
used for the special purpose of following the fox and dislodging the 
wild cat from her den, generally among rocks and cairns’ of stone, 
at the foot of the hills, and when the fox, but for the assistance of 
the terriers, might bid the hounds defiance. ' Master Reynard 
when hard pressed either bolts or has to succumb to the terriers ; 
and as to wild cats “‘no quarter” is the order of the dog. These 
remarks ‘will tend to remove some misconception which unfor- 
tunately prevails i in many quarters as to the characteristics of the 
Skye terrier, and also facilitate a right appreciation of the breed. 
