TERRIER
.—The terrier may naturally be concluded to have derived his name from the avidity with which he takes the earth; particularly when in pursuit of his own game, which is vermin of every kind, without distinction. To the fox, badger, polecat, weasel, rat, and even the poor domestic cat, the terrier is a most implacable enemy. For the purposes of BADGER BAITING, they have, by the lower classes, been crossed, and bred in and in with the bull-dog, which has enlarged the produce of those crosses, and increased the natural ferocity, as a greater stimulus to that particular sport now so fashionable with the sons of the cleaver, since the practice of BULL-BAITING has been so happily upon the decline. The genuine and lesser breed of terrier is employed in a business, to which, by his size, his fortitude, persevering strength, and invincible ardour, he seems more peculiarly adapted, and may be most truly said "to labour cheerfully in his vocation." This is, in his subordinate attendance upon the chase, where, like distinguished personages in a procession, though last, he is not the least in consequence.
Terriers of even the best blood are now bred of all colours; red, black, (with tan faces, flanks, feet, and legs;) brindled sandy; some few, brown pied, white pied, and pure white; as well as one sort of each colour, rough and wire-haired; the others, soft and smooth; and, what is rather extraordinary, the latter not much deficient in courage with the former; but the rough breed must be acknowledged the most severe and invincible biter of the two. Since fox-hunting is so deservedly and universally popular in every county where it can be enjoyed, these faithful little animals have become so exceedingly fashionable, that few stables of the independent are seen without them. Four and five guineas is no great price for a handsome, well-bred terrier; and a very short time since, seven puppies were sold at the Running-horse livery-stables, in Piccadilly, for one-and-twenty guineas; and these, at this time, is as true a breed of the small sort as any in England.
With every established pack of fox-hounds there is seldom to be seen less than a brace of terriers; and, for the best of reasons, one is generally larger and stronger than the other; in a small earth, where one cannot enter, the other may. With the hounds, in endeavouring to find, as well as during the chase, their exertions are incessant and indefatigable; and although the fleet pack shall be carrying the scent breast high at the top of their speed, these instinctive devotees to the sport are seldom far behind them. When a fox is run to earth, it is the province of the terrier to follow, and lay at him; as, by the baying of one at the other, the ear will soon be informed, whether the fox lays deep, or near the surface; and those who are employed in digging him out, will be enabled and encouraged to proceed accordingly. In fidelity, sagacity, courage, as well as the most incredible endurance of fatigue and hunger, they are inferior to no one particular tribe of the canine species.