Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.

Dogs and All about Them eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 437 pages of information about Dogs and All about Them.

“Anyhow, I have in my kennel a dog who, at ten months old, met a vixen fox as she was bolting out of her cairn, and he at once caught her by the throat, stuck to her till the pack came up, and then on till she was killed.  In the course of one month his wounds were healed, and he had two other classical fights, one with a cat and the other with a dog fox.  Not bad for a pup with a ‘baby face?’

“I trust my readers understand that the West Highland White Terriers are not White Aberdeens, not a new invention, but have a most respectable ancestry of their own.  I add the formal list of points, but this is the work of show bench experts—­and it will be seen from what I have written that I do not agree with them on certain particulars.  There should be feather to a fair degree on the tail, but if experts will not allow it, put rosin on your hands and pull the hair out—­and the rosin will win your prize.  The eye should not be sunk, which gives the sulky look of the ‘Scotch’ Terrier, but should be full and bright, and the expression friendly and confiding.  The skull should not be narrow anywhere.  It is almost impossible to get black nails in a dog of pure breed and the black soon wears off the pad work, so folk must understand this.  On two occasions recently I have shown dogs, acknowledged, as dogs, to be quite first class, ’but, you see, they are not the proper type.’  The judges unfortunately have as yet their eyes filled with the ‘Scottish’ terrier type and prefer mongrels that show it to the real ‘Simon Pure.’”

* * * * *

STANDARD OF POINTS:  The GENERAL APPEARANCE of the West Highland White Terrier is that of a small, game, hardy-looking terrier, possessed with no small amount of self-esteem, with a “varminty” appearance, strongly built, deep in chest and back ribs, straight back and powerful quarters, on muscular legs and exhibiting in a marked degree a great combination of strength and activity.  COLOUR—­White.  COAT—­Very important, and seldom seen to perfection; must be double-coated.  The outer coat consists of hard hair, about 2-1/2 inches long, and free from any curl.  The under coat, which resembles fur, is short, soft, and close.  Open coats are objectionable.  SIZE—­Dogs to weigh from 14 to 18 lb., and bitches from 12 to 16 lb., and measure from 8 to 12 inches at the shoulder.  SKULL—­Should not be too narrow, being in proportion to his powerful jaw, proportionately long, slightly domed, and gradually tapering to the eyes, between which there should be a slight indentation or stop.  Eyebrows heavy.  The hair on the skull to be from 3/4 to 1 inch long, and fairly hard.  EYES—­Widely set apart, medium in size, dark hazel in colour, slightly sunk in the head, sharp and intelligent, which, looking from under the heavy eyebrows, give a piercing look.  Full eyes, and also light-coloured eyes, are very objectionable.  MUZZLE—­Should be powerful, proportionate in length, and should gradually taper towards the

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Dogs and All about Them from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.