Terrier
2 of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Terrier. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
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 , 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-- 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 . The 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 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.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a small, active, hardy dog. The name is French, signifying the hole or earth of a rabbit or fox. The name is applied to this breed of dogs from a propensity to dig open the holes in pursuit of their prey. There are many strains of terriers. The ordinary English terriers are called black and tan. The fox terriers have been trained to unearth foxes. The English terriers are smooth-haired. The Skye terriers from the extreme north of Scotland are small, shaggy animals. The rat terriers are a small, active variety trained to rat-killing. See Dog ; Setter
What Has Changed in the Last Century
Collier's 1921 rankings have been almost inverted. The fox terrier and Airedale it named as rising stars are now uncommon, while the Yorkshire terrier it dismissed as "fit only to be used as house dogs and not true terriers" became one of the most registered breeds in the world; the white English terrier Collier's said had supplanted the black-and-tan is itself extinct, and the Skye now sits on the Kennel Club's list of vulnerable native breeds with only a few dozen puppies registered a year. The working uses have largely gone too: dog fighting and badger digging are criminal offences in Britain, cropping the ears of Irish terriers is long illegal there, and tail docking was banned for non-working dogs under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. Terrier names have also been formalised - the Parson Russell and Jack Russell terriers, working dogs Collier's did not list, gained separate kennel-club recognition only at the end of the twentieth century. Modern DNA studies confirm the broad picture the entry assumes, that most of these are closely related types fixed by British breeders in the nineteenth century rather than ancient distinct races.
Written for this edition, 2026.