86 DOMESTICATED DOGS. 



should not be called a /cw-terrier ; " and here I think he has his 

 opponent hard and fast, for, as the controversy is always in refer- 

 ence to show prizes, the definition of the class in question is 

 always for " fox-terriers." Still, irrespective of the question of 

 prizes, it is clear that the fox-terrier of the present day is more 

 frequently required as a companion than as a persecutor of foxes ; 

 and if he is to go beyond the duties of the companion, and is re- 

 quired to hunt, his game is far more frequently the rabbit than the 

 fox; and a dog of 20 lbs. is not too large for that purpose, nor is 

 the beagle cross objectionable, if it really exists. The fanciers of 

 this dog should first agree as to his duties, and then it will be' 

 time to settle his size and other qualities ; but till then, unless an 

 absurd stress is placed on the prefix "fox," the promoters of our 

 shows will do well to have two or even three classes, in which 

 the weight is made to fix the limits of each. 



Having adverted to this much-vexed question, it now only 

 remains to refer to another, which some years ago agitated fan- 

 ciers quite as much, viz., the propriety or otherwise of the bull- 

 dog cross. Here again the distinct objects for which this terrier 

 is kept are lost sight of; for admitting that the bull-cross spoils 

 the fox-terrier qud fox, it does not interfere with his rabbiting 

 or attending on his master as a companion. For bolting foxes 

 it often incapacitates the terrier, because it makes him savagely 

 lay hold of the fox and keep hold, thereby not only interfering 

 with his own proper vocation, but preventing the fox from bolting 

 if he has an opportunity. All huntsmen are agreed on this 

 question, and dislike any cross of the bulldog beyond a very 

 remote one ; so that as long as the fox-terrier is judged as a dog 

 intended to go to ground after fox, so long must the bull-cross 

 be condemned, if it is so near as to show itself in the decided 

 form of a short full jaw and underhung teeth. But as every 



