Dogs Used in Work (Continued)

terriers—irish—airedale—bedlington—black and tan—smooth english

The Irish Terrier.—There is scarcely any breed of any of the many varieties of the Terrier, which has grown more in popularity during the last twenty years, than this. And I believe it has done so strictly on its merits; of course, somewhat helped by the ardour and zeal of his excitable and genial fellow-countrymen, who have done all in their power to help on one of their "national breeds." From the points hereafter given, my readers will get a good description of the breed. I may say that my experience of it, personally, was chiefly in some I bought of my friend, Mr. W. Graham, of Belfast, (so much known and liked in English as well as Irish doggy circles, and the breeder and exhibitor of some of the best specimens of the breed ever seen). The only reason we "parted company," was their talent for "boxing." If I had a dozen or more dogs out peaceably enjoying themselves in a paddock, the moment "the Irishmen" were let out, there were "ructions," and they could not content themselves with just a friendly bout amongst themselves, or with some of the Dandies, Skyes, or others, near their own size and weight, but must needs go and pick a quarrel with some of the Collies, Bobtails or other larger dogs, and I feared they would be killed, so got rid of them, though they were all right with all of us, and indeed great favourites. The following description of the breed is by my friend, Mr. L. I. Barnett, so well known as Secretary of the English Section of the Irish Terrier Club, and a frequent judge:—

Points of the Irish Terrier.—"Head long, rather narrow; punishing jaw; eyes, small and dark; ears fairly small, not set on too high; legs straight, and strong; feet, round, and thick, with good heels; chest narrow, with good depth of brisket; back strong, and straight, with tail set on rather high; loins strong; neck, strong, and muscular; coat very hard, and straight, shorter on head; colour yellow-red, darker on ears; expression, 'wicked,' but intelligent."

Airedales.—Another breed I see occasionally kept is the Airedale Terrier, which are seldom less than forty pounds weight, and often much more. As guards, or companions, they are admirable, and follow a trap well, and can look after their own welfare, but although they have been immensely improved since they were first brought out, in the North of England, as "The Waterside Terrier," there is, to my mind, a coarse and common look about them, that seems to keep them more associated with a breed suitable to accompany his master's trap or cart, or to mount guard over premises liable to be attacked by burglars, and its size always seems to me much to its disadvantage, in doing any of the work which usually falls to the members of the different varieties of "Terriers." The long shaped head, small ears, dark hazel eyes, strong, well-knit body, with docked tail, and the colour grizzled black above, and light tan below, will be familiar to most readers of these words. I have known many beautiful Airedales, some of them (except in size) nearly perfect in their Terrier character, and on the occasions I have judged the breed I have had excellent entries of good quality, and I know now many who keep them, and prefer them to any other breed of dog. I am bound, however, to say I have never been very much taken up with them, as I object to their size as being too big to be classed amongst Terriers for the work of that variety.

The Bedlington.—This breed, which first appeared at Darlington Dog show in 1866, had existed in the extreme north of England, for nearly or quite fifty years before that, and has always been more bred and kept in the north than in any other part of the country, although I have occasionally seen good specimens elsewhere. The following extract from a letter published in "The Field" in March, 1869, from a staunch supporter of the breed, will be of interest to some of my readers. "The Bedlington Terrier is fast, and whether on land, or in water, is equally at home; in appetite, these dogs are dainty, and they seldom fatten; but experience has shown them to be wiry, enduring, and, in courage, equal to the bull dog. They will face almost anything, and I know of a dog which will extinguish a candle or lighted paper at his master's bidding! To these other good qualities may be added, their marked intelligence, and hostility to vermin of all kinds. They will encounter the otter, fox, badger, with the greatest determination. The points of the Bedlington Terrier, which is a very lively member, as a rule, are as follows: Skull narrow and domed, and adorned with a silky top-knot; jaws very strong and punishing and lips tight; nose large and either black or liver-coloured, according to shade of the coat, eyes small and rather deeply sunk, their colour following that of body, ears fine, filbert shaped, tipped with soft silky hair and carried flat against the sides of the head, neck long and shoulders sloping, body rather narrow at the chest, but deep at this point, ribs flat, slightly arched at the loins, which should be powerful, legs straight, feet of fair size, hindquarters graceful looking and not too heavy, tail tapering almost all the way from base, carried in a curve like a Turkish Sword; coat much as a Dandie's, linty, composed of a mixture of hard and soft hair. Colours blue liver or sandy, or mixtures of above with tanned markings, pure self colours preferred and any white objectionable. General appearance that of a particularly alert and active dog of immense energy and courage, and quite prepared to take his own part, with any dog of any breed.

The Welsh Terrier.—Another handy sized breed for pet or companion and a smart guard is the Welsh Terrier, which is practically a wire-haired black and tan terrier, not over twenty pounds, and often less, in weight, head flat and wider at base, eyes set rather wide, muzzle longish, and a bit stronger than usually seen in Fox Terriers, ears small, with forward carriage, neck clean and not short, muscular thighs and well-boned, straight, fore-legs, coat (black, or grizzle and tan, in colour) wiry, hard and dense, should have no white spots, or markings. They are very smart, showy dogs and usually very keen on anything in the vermin, or sporting line, and are being bred very true to type by some of their patrons, many of whom are very enthusiastic in their praise.

The Old English Terrier.—A breed closely resembling these are the Old English Terriers, usually rather larger and more grizzled in colour than their Welsh brethren, and very suitable, being something like a small Airedale in appearance, as companions or house guards. The considerable interest taken in Airedales and Welsh Terriers, (both of which have one or more specialist clubs to look after their interests and push them forward) has been rather prejudicial to the Old English Terriers, which have been somewhat neglected, but I should like to see someone take them up, as there is much of "general utility" about them, and they should not be allowed to die out.

The Black and Tan Terrier.—Another well-known breed is the Manchester or Black and Tan Terrier, which, some years since, enjoyed considerable popularity, and I think the main cause of its decline, was its getting into the hands of some unscrupulous members of the community, who dyed, faked, and "rang the changes," as it was called, with them, to such an extent, that respectable people were afraid to have anything to do with them. I have no doubt that the cropping edict has also been against them, as formerly, if a dog had large, or ugly ears, their appearance was often improved in the cropping, but now, unless the ears are naturally small, good specimens have little chance in the keen competition of these dogs. I need hardly describe them as fine-coated, rather snake-headed dogs with bright eyes of dark colour, and marked with tan, which should be clear in shade on the legs, thighs, feet, and other parts. They are well adapted as pets and companions, being smart, lively and intelligent in their manners and cleanly and vigilant in their habits. The points of the Manchester or Black and Tan Terrier are rather elaborate and run as follows: Head long and narrow, flat from the back to the nose and with no humps at sides or cheek, muzzle long and tapering, but not weak, eyes small and oval shaped, black and bright. The correct carriage of the ears is a debatable point since cropping has been abolished, but probably the drop ear is correct; neck light and graceful, shoulders sloping, chest rather narrow but deep and the body slightly arched with good back ribs; forelegs quite straight with well arched toes and jet black toenails, powerful hindquarters with hocks well let down, tail very fine and carried almost straight, coat short, yet close. Colour: Lustrous blue black, with rich mahogany tan markings along the jaws, under the throat, over the eyes, on the cheeks, inside the ears, on each side of breast, on the inside of the hind legs, under the vent and on the forelegs up to above the pastern joint. The toes, however, have black lines called "pencilling," running up them and there is a black spot called the thumb mark just along the pastern joint in front of the limb. The general appearance is that of a high class and well-bred, smart and neat-looking dog well suited for any work, coming into the sphere of a terrier, and a fit companion or guard for either sex, or any rank of life. He can adapt himself to the cottage, or the palace, and look well in either.

The White English Terrier—I may here mention what is doubtless a branch of the same variety or closely allied to it, the White English Terrier, which, but for its colour, being all pure white, is just built on the same lines, and is suitable for the same purposes, as his black and tan cousin. Some years since when the lighter weights of bull terriers were more popular than at present, I think they were largely crossed with White English, so as to get down their size, and some I have had, and many I have seen, have undoubtedly had some of the Bull Terrier blood in them, which could be traced in their skulls, showing rather more fullness than the breed should indicate, and their dispositions being rather more warlike than was always convenient to their owners, or agreeable to their kennel companions. I contend that a thoroughbred White English Terrier is quite a superior dog and fit company for anyone. I know some of the best at the present time are owned by ladies.