Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and DiseaseBarton, Frank Townend
Science
Sporting Dogs: Their Points and Management in Health and Disease
Barton, Frank Townend
Dogs
_Limbs and Quarters._--To be of medium length, straight and strong.
_Club._--The Bedlington Terrier.
=The Scottish Terrier=
[Illustration]
Sometimes spoken of as the "Die-hard," a name said to have been given
to them by George, Earl of Dumbarton, owing to the pluck of a pack
owned by him.
The title is certainly not a misnomer, these little Terriers of
Highland descent still having the gameness of their ancestors, though
many of them at the present time are only used as ladies' companions.
The terms "Aberdeen" and "Scottish" Terrier are--or should
be--synonymous, though an inferior specimen of a "Scottie" has, and is,
frequently sold to the unwary as an "Aberdeen." Another name is that
of "Cairn" Terrier, which speaks for itself, these dogs having been
expressly bred for hunting in the cairns, or spaces amongst heaps of
rocks, etc.
[Illustration: SCOTTISH TERRIER DOG CHAMPION HYNDMAN THISTLE.]
[Illustration: A TRIO OF SCOTTISH TERRIERS (Property of Mr
M'CANDLISH).]
Owing to their small size, they are admirably adapted for such
purposes. Some will retrieve and take well to water; are good
companions, and active house dogs. They are very hardy, consequently
puppies are not difficult to rear, and fair specimens of the last-named
can be had at two and three guineas apiece.
The following are the chief points of the Scottish Terrier.
_Coat._--In point judging, 20 per cent. of the marks are allotted to
the coat--so many are faulty in this respect. Outer coat must be very
thick, short, and of a hard or wiry texture, and absolutely free from
any sign of curl, or waviness.
Hair, 2 or 3 inches in length. Under coat, very dense.
The so-called "open" coat is a fault. The term is sufficiently
explanatory.
_Weight._--From 14 to 20 lbs. for dogs and a few pounds less for
bitches.
_Colour._--Not of great importance, but white markings are
objectionable; less important on the breast, but better without any
white hairs.
White specimens are rare.
Brindle, black, red, mustard, and iron-grey, are the usual colours,
the black and brindle shades being preferred.
_Body._--Important (value 10). This should be short, so as to give the
dog a sturdy, compact appearance.
Some Scotties are too long in the body.
_Neck._--To be short and thick, ending in good, strong, sloping
shoulders.
_Chest._--Deep, well-rounded on to the shoulders, and plump.
_Limbs and Feet._--Legs, short, big-boned, well-muscled, straight,
though generally turned out at ankles, ending in large fore feet, and
smaller well-padded hind ones. The same hard hairs should clothe the
limbs. If soft, it is a fault.
_Ears._--Erect, or semi (half) erect. Must never "droop" at tips.
Should be covered with short hair.
Particular attention is paid by judges to the carriage of the ears of
the Scottie.
_Eyes._--To be either dark brown or hazel, giving a lively expression
to the face.
_Head._--Rather long, and wide above the eyes. Most of the length is
gained from eyes to nose.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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