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CHAPTER XIV.

THE CLYDESDALE OR PAISLEY TERRIER.

I ONCE heard a man describe this dog as "neither fish, fowl, nor good red herring," meaning no doubt in his original way to express his opinion that the Clydesdale or Paisley terrier was neither one thing nor another, and perhaps he was not far wrong. It has been said that this terrier was originally a cross between the ordinary Skye terrier and the Yorkshire terrier, but, although it is of quite modern origin, no proof has been produced when such crosses took place or who made them. To my idea it is much more likely that the Yorkshire terriers were produced from the Paisleys or Clydesdales, and we all know that, until within a comparatively recent date, the former were known as "Scotch terriers," and in the first volume of the "Kennel Club Stud Book" their classification is "Broken-haired Scotch or Yorkshire terriers." This was in 1874, but a little later the classification was changed to "Yorkshire Terriers," and as such it

still remains. A much more likely origin is that the variety was made by the Glasgow and other Scottish dog fanciers crossing the softer-coated, lightercoloured prick-eared Skye terriers with each other until they bred fairly truly and produced the Skye terriers in an altered form.

The Yorkshire terrier is a drop-eared dog; the Clydesdales are all prick-eared, and the latter were even within the present generation shown amongst Skye terriers, and known generally as such, although sometimes they were distinguished as "silky-coated" terriers. The Clydesdale Terrier Club was established in 1887, but ceased to exist after a few years. A fresh club was then formed, called the Paisley Terrier Club, which still survives, though in a somewhat somnolent condition. The Kennel Club gave the variety classification in their Stud Book in 1888, but a year or two previously classes had been specially provided for them at the leading Scottish shows. Classes for them were likewise given at the Jubilee show held at Barn Elms in 1887; but, although a few representatives were present, the encouragement the committee received was evidently not sufficient for the Kennel Club to encourage the variety at future exhibitions.

I remember at the earlier Scottish shows, especially the Glasgow ones, which were usually

managed by Mr Henry Martin, a number of very handsome animals, shown by a Mr. Wilson and others; these dogs were then called Paisley terriers, and they competed amongst the prick-eared Skye terriers, often enough winning the leading prizes, much to the annoyance of exhibitors of the true breed of Skye terrier. In the end "ructions" took place; owners of both varieties flew to the newspapers, with the result that it was then re-decided that a Skye terrier should have a hard coat, and animals of the Glasgow fancy, with silvery, soft jackets, ought to be constituted a variety of themselves. In due course this was done, and such were known as Paisley terriers or Glasgow terriers. Later, the Clydesdale terrier became perhaps the more familiar name, and between the two the matter of nomenclature now rests, although the name Clydesdale appears to have the preference. At the present time there are more specimens of this silky-haired terrier bred in Paisley than elsewhere, and Mr. John King is perhaps at the head of the fancy there.

The Clydesdale or Paisley terrier, though he can kill rats, and maybe other vermin, is essentially a pet dog, and is usually kept as such. Like the Yorkshire terrier, his coat requires keeping in good order by repeated combing and brushing, though in

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