FAULTS:  COAT—­Any silkiness, wave, or tendency to curl is a serious blemish, as is also an open coat.  Black or grey hairs disqualify for competition.  SIZE—­Any specimens under the minimum, or above the maximum weight, are objectionable.  EYES—­Full or light coloured.  EARS—­Round-pointed, drop, broad and large, or too heavily covered with hair.  MUZZLE—­Either under or over shot, and defective teeth.

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[Illustration:  COL.  MALCOLM’S WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIERS SONNY AND SARAH]

[Illustration:  MISS E. McCHEANE’S SKYE TERRIERS CH.  FAIRFIELD DIAMOND AND CH.  WOLVERLEY CHUMMIE Photograph by T. Fall]

CHAPTER XL

THE DANDIE DINMONT

The breed of terrier now known as the Dandie Dinmont is one of the races of the dog which can boast of a fairly ancient lineage.  Though it is impossible now to say what was the exact origin of this breed, we know that it was first recognised under its present name after the publication of Scott’s Guy Mannering, in the year 1814, and we know that for many years previously there had existed in the Border counties a rough-haired, short-legged race of terrier, the constant and very effective companion of the Border farmers and others in their fox-hunting expeditions.

Various theories have been suggested by different writers as to the manner in which the breed was founded.  Some say that the Dandie is the result of crossing a strain of rough-haired terriers with the Dachshund; others that a rough-haired terrier was crossed with the Otterhound; and others again assert that no direct cross was ever introduced to found the breed, but that it was gradually evolved from the rough-haired terriers of the Border district.  And this latter theory is probably correct.

The Dandie would appear to be closely related to the Bedlington Terrier.  In both breeds we find the same indomitable pluck, the same pendulous ear, and a light silky “topknot” adorning the skull of each; but the Dandie was evolved into a long-bodied, short-legged dog, and the Bedlington became a long-legged, short-bodied dog!  Indeed to illustrate the close relationship of the two breeds a case is quoted of the late Lord Antrim, who, in the early days of dog shows, exhibited two animals from the same litter, and with the one obtained a prize or honourable mention in the Dandie classes, and with the other a like distinction in the Bedlington classes.

It may be interesting to give a few particulars concerning the traceable ancestors of the modern Dandie.  In Mr. Charles Cook’s book on this breed, we are given particulars of one William Allan, of Holystone, born in 1704, and known as Piper Allan, and celebrated as a hunter of otters and foxes, and for his strain of rough-haired terriers who so ably assisted him in the chase.  William Allan’s terriers descended to his son James, also known as the “Piper,”