The Fox Terrier
There are two varieties of this terrier, the smooth and the wire haired. This dog, although but a comparatively modern production in its present state, is the most popular specimen of the canine race in England, and its development is fostered by a most flourishing club.
Although the fox terrier, as it is seen to-day, FOX TERRIER. white in body with black and tan, or tan markings, or entirely white, has only been known about 100 years, there is indis- DOGS] putable evidence that a terrier spoken of as an earth dog, and used for going to ground to fox or badger, was known upwards of 300 years ago, and probably much earlier.
From this dog the modern fox terrier has sprung, and by judicious selection in breeding the smart little dog, as we see him in the present day, has been produced. It is, however, difficult to fix the time when the fox terrier assumed the colour in which he is now recognised, for even at the commencement of this century and earlier there were fox terriers black and tan in colour as well as others with a great deal of white about them. It is to be supposed that, as it was the custom for each pack of foxhounds to be accompanied by one or two terriers, the idea suggested itself that a hound-marked terrier would be more desirable for the purpose required, and that recourse was had to a cross with a small hound, probably a beagle, to get the required markings. This seemed evident in the terriers that were to be seen about twenty years ago, from their large ears and full eyes. The occupation of the fox terrier, in his more immediate connection with hounds, is now gone, since foxes are less frequently dug out than formerly, and the new school of masters of hounds has dispensed with his services. With the loss of his vocation, some of that indescribable expression which denotes a readiness for any sort of rough and tumble work that may come in his way has departed, and he may be now looked upon rather as an ornamental than as a working dog, more suited for the show bench than going to ground to a fox; indeed, as regards the latter, he is often too big for the purpose. His popularity commenced some thirty years ago, since which time he has greatly increased in value. A dog that could previously have been purchased for from ten to twenty guineas soon mounted up to three figures, and as much as £500 has been given for a single specimen.