Collier's New Encyclopedia

A complete general encyclopedia of 1921 — the world as it was understood just after the Great War, from Aachen to Zwingli, across twelve volumes and six thousand pages.

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Terrier

a name originally applied to any breed of dog used to burrow underground, but now applied to any small dog. Terriers may be divided into three classes: those able to follow their game into its earth, those kept for hunting above-ground, and those kept merely as companions. ns. Among terriers proper the fox terrier holds the position of greatest popularity. The Scotch terrier, though long familiar in Scotland, only became generally known about 1870. The Scotch terrier is identical with the breed often erroneously alluded to as the old or working Skye terrier. He is a small, compact dog, short in the leg; coat short, coat short , hard, and dense; ears erect; and with a keen, bright expression. In character he is generally alert and active, and makes a splendid companion. The third variety used for going to ground is the Dandie Dinmont, called after the character in Scott's novel of "Guy Mannering ," a character founded on Mr. Davison, a well-known Border farmer, who was one of the founders of the breed. The Dan- . The Dan-- die is a low and powerful dog, very courageous, a quality probably gained by an admixture of bulldog blood, but headstrong and difficult to keep under control. Dandies are divided into "peppers" and "mustards"-i e., those colored slate-blue and those of a light yellow.

The coat is rather longer than the Scotch terrier, but not so hard.

Among terriers kept for hunting above ground the most popular is the Irish terrier, a dog larger and considerably leggier than the fox terrier, but built on the same lines. The coat is like the Scotch terrier's, but a light red in color.

The ears used always to be cut to a fine point, standing erect, but are now allowed to fall over in their natural shape Bedlington is popular in the N. of England; the bull terrier also makes a good sporting dog, but is kept mainly as a companion. The Airedale is growing in popularity, but its large size unfits it for any proper terrier work. It somewhat resembles an overgrown blue Bedlington, but lacks the same courage. Among TERRIER terriers kept as companions the Skye is probably the most common. The blackand-tan, though an ancient breed, has been supplanted by the white English terrier. Japan gives us the shan-shong, resembling the Skye, and malta, a tiny terrier with long silky hair like a Blenheim spaniel. The toy terrier is a cross from the black-and-tan, as is the Yorkshire terrier. Both varieties are fit only to be used as house dogs and are not true terriers.

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