The terrier family is a large one in all its ramifications, and the embryo dog lover, wishing to possess one of this variety will have a wide field to go over. The terrier should have more action than the toy varieties and if it is possible, a place should be provided where he can romp out of doors for at least two or three hours a day. If that is not feasible, then he must be taken to some park or open place where he can run and exercise, for a terrier that is kept confined is as entirely out of his environment as a fish would be out of water.
KEARN’S LORD KITCHENER.
Among the many breeds of terriers, there are a number which enjoy equal popularity. The Boston Terrier is the great American product; he is strictly an evolution of this country and has grown in popularity in keeping with his qualities. The Boston is a clean, well-knit dog of trappy appearance, with a short head that is a mean between the bulldog and the terrier expression, if such a thing can be. He comes in various weights up to twenty five pounds, and, as a matter of fact, one finds them going as high as thirty and thirty-five, for the Boston is a mixture and does not always throw true to type. The present accepted dictum is, however, that the maximum weight should be twenty-five pounds. At dog shows the weights are divided by classes under fifteen pounds, fifteen pounds and under twenty, twenty pounds and not exceeding twenty-five. The demand for the smaller weights seems greatest, but one finds more uniformity in the medium weights—that is, from fifteen to twenty pounds. The Boston terrier may be good for no practical purposes, but he is alert and will prove to be a fair guardian of the home. The appeal with this dog is his absolute trimness, his clean cut appearance, and his short coat. For people living in flats he is one of the most desirable dogs. In purchasing one of this breed it is well to see the dog before paying the money. While there are unscrupulous dealers of all breeds, it seems that more irresponsible people have taken up the sale of this breed than any other. I do not mean by this that there are not a large number of very responsible breeders, but it is the dealer—the vendor of dogs—whose word cannot always be taken at face value, therefore, in buying any breed, see that you are obtaining what you are paying for, and in buying a Boston, be sure of it from every angle.
THE SMOOTH-COATED FOX TERRIER,
CH. SABINE RECRUIT.
Fox Terriers, both wire-haired and smooth, are also very popular in this country, the former probably more so at the present time than the latter, although the smooth is much more easily kept, is just as keen and alert, makes a varmint dog the equal of any, and as a house companion has many advantages over his wire-haired cousin; the latter is a beautiful dog when his coat is kept just right, but if not, he is an abomination. Incidentally it may be said that it is both a science and an art to keep the coats of any of the broken-haired varieties of terriers in good order.
THE WIRE-HAIRED FOX TERRIER,
CH. PRIDE’S HILL TWEAK ’EM.
In temperamental characteristics there is little difference, if any, between the smooth and the wire-haired varieties, and if the dog is to be kept in the house mostly, perhaps the former would prove more satisfactory. Prices of both of these varieties have been soaring here of late, but this refers only to the show specimens. It is always possible to procure a “waster” either because he does not conform to the show standard in the finer points, is oversize, or for some other reason. The fox terrier, as in fact practically all terriers, except the toy varieties and possibly Bostons, are men’s dogs, and they can furnish considerable sport if they are trained on various kinds of “varmints.” In this connection it might be said that they take to this class of work very readily, as they have been specifically bred for this purpose since the earliest days.