THE DANDIE DINMONT TERRIER. 109 
(Many of the finest : specimens have a “ swine mouth,” which is very 
objectionable, but it is not so great an objection as the protrusion 
of the under jaw.) 
Hyes set wide apart, large, full, round, bright, expressive of great, 
determination, intelligence, and dignity, set low and prominent in 
front of the heed ; colour a rich dark hazel. 
Ears large and pendulous, set well back, wide apart, and low on 
the skull, hanging close to the cheek, with a very slight projection 
at the base, broad at the junction of the head, and tapering almost 
to a point, the fore-part of the ear tapering very little—the taper 
being mostly on the back part, the fore-part of the ear coming 
almost straight down from its junction with the head to the tip. 
They are covered with a soft straight brown hair (in some cases 
almost black), and have a thin feather of light hair starting about 
two inches from the tip, and of nearly the same colour and texture 
as the top-knot, which gives the ear the appearance of a distinct 
point. The animal is often one or two years old before the 
feather is shown. The cartilage and skin of the ear should not 
be thick, but rather thin. Length of ear from 3 to 4 inches. 
: Neck very muscular, well developed and strong, showing great 
power of resistance, being well set into the shoulders. 
Body long, strong, and flexible, ribs well sprung and round ; chest 
well developed, and let well down between the fore-legs ; the back 
rather low at the shoulders, having a slight downward curve, and a. 
corresponding arch over the loins, with a very slight gradual drop 
from top of loins to root of tail; both sides of backbone well 
supplied with muscle. 
Tail rather short, say from 8 to Io inches, and covered on 
the upper side with wiry hair of darker colour than that of the 
body, the hair on the under side being lighter in colour, and not so 
wiry, with a nice feather about 2 inches long, getting shorter as 
it nears the tip ; rather thick at the root, getting thicker for about 
4 inches, then tapering off to a point. It should not be twisted 
or curled in any way, but should come up with a regular curve like 
a scimitar, the tip when excited being in a perpendicular line with 
the root of the tail. It should neither be set on too high nor too 
low. When not excited it is carried gaily, and a little above 
the level of the body. 
