The color of the West Highlander is pure white; any other color, the creamy or grey shade, is objectionable. The coat is also very important and fanciers of the breed are more particular about this feature than any other. As a matter of fact, a coat that meets with the perfection that the standard calls for, is rare indeed. We hear much of the so-called double-coat, but in this breed it is demanded. The outer coat consists of harsh hair, about two inches long and absolutely free from curl. The under coat, which resembles fur, is short, soft and close. It is a real weather-resisting jacket such as we want on Airedales and various other wire-coated terriers, but which is found so seldom, even in this variety.
The West Highlander weighs from twelve to eighteen pounds; bitches usually ranging from the minimum figure to sixteen pounds, while the dogs average about two pounds more to the maximum weight. In height they measure from eight to twelve inches at the shoulder. For the prospective owner, who does not object to white dogs nor to the long coat, the West Highlander white terrier will make an excellent companion, though his comparative scarcity will probably keep the prices at a high figure for some time to come.
A near relative to the West Highlander is the Cairn Terrier, a dog of similar size and characteristics of the other Scottish varieties. The dog is not very popular at this date, but being a newly cultivated, though an old breed, the prices are still prohibitive. In all essentials, however, the Cairn terrier will fill the same place as any of the small terriers.
THE SCOTTISH TERRIER, CH. THE LAIRD.
The ever popular Scottish Terrier, or Scottie, as he is more affectionately called, is virtually one of the near relatives of the two breeds just described. He has been long and slow in coming to his own in this country, but having once attained a foothold in America he is likely to retain his place when many of the creations of faddists are forgotten. He has been becoming more popular every year as a show dog, though he never will attain the popularity accorded some of the other terrier breeds. What is more significant, however, he is rapidly making himself more and more endeared to the one-dog owner. As a companion about the premises, the house or the stables, the Scottie is par excellence. A first class vermin dog, an alert watchman and game to the core, the Scottie will indeed fill the requirements of anyone wishing to own one small dog, for size and all other conditions must sometimes be taken into consideration.
The general appearance of the Scottie is that of a sharp, bright, active dog. His expression is his distinguishing mark, for he is always on the qui vive, ready, as it were, “for something to turn up.” The head is carried well up. He appears to be higher on the leg than he really is; this is due to his short, wiry coat, which is like bristles, and about two inches long all over the body. He has a compact appearance, nevertheless, his legs seem to be endowed with almost an abnormal amount of bone. His back is short, his ribs well sprung, his loin and quarters well filled up and in every essential, he is powerfully put together. He carries his ears erect and they are always alert. His eyes are small and of a very dark hazel color, his tail, which is never docked, is about seven inches long and is carried with a slight upward bend, which under excitement is apt to be carried still more gaily. In height he should be from nine to twelve inches and in weight the maximum is twenty pounds. Dogs going over that are considered too large. Of recent years this breed has been becoming more popular in all parts of the country and at the present time good specimens may be bought at a very reasonable figure; that is, puppies at weaning age, or a little later. Naturally, more matured dogs, with the earmarks of becoming bench show flyers would still command a price that the average one-dog owner would not care to pay for a mere home companion. The breed is very intelligent and easily broken to all the natural pursuits of the terrier.
THE SEALYHAM TERRIER, BARBERRYHILL GIN RICKEY.
The Sealyham Terrier is another breed that has come into popularity recently, and with an active club here in America to foster it, it has made rapid strides during the past four or five years. In the eyes of the tyro he is a short-legged, over-weighted wire-haired fox terrier, although the standard emphasizes the fact that he should not resemble the latter breed either in character, expression or shape and such resemblance “should be heavily penalized.” As a matter of fact, in head properties there is nothing to indicate the fox terrier in a Sealyham of correct type. His head is of a different formation. The skull is wide between the ears and as the dog is describes as being the ideal combination of the Dandie Dinmont and the bull terrier of twenty pounds in weight, this skull formation is supposed to be the mien between the two. It is slightly domed and rounded, with practically no stop and a slight indentation running down between the brows. The jaws are long, powerful and level, much wider and heavier than in the fox terrier. The nose is black and the nostrils wide apart. The ears are of medium size and set low, carried closely against the cheek, which characteristic is insisted upon since a forward ear carriage would resemble a fox terrier too much. The coat is dense and wiry; longer than that in which the wire-haired fox terrier is usually shown, and it should be especially profuse on head, neck and throat. The body is compact and the tail is docked and must be carried gaily. The color should be a white ground although patches of lemon, tan, brindle or badger-pied markings are permissible on head and ears, though black spots are objectionable and while they do not absolutely disqualify, dogs with such markings should be severely penalized. The size of the dogs should be from nine to twelve inches and bitches slightly less. Weight in this breed is not any particular criterion and very frequently a ten-inch dog may be so compactly and sturdily built that he might weigh twenty-four pounds, while a larger one of rangier type could easily go considerably less. The Sealyham’s sphere is similar to that of the other short-legged terrier breeds; indeed, there are so many dogs of similar characteristics that the question has frequently been asked, “Why is a Sealyham?”