At

may be inferred from the fact that at the Kennel Club's exhibition, in 1893, although the specialist club offered their twenty-five guinea challenge cup, and there were other specials, and four classes, but four exhibitors sent dogs, nine being all that were benched. At Cruft's show, in March, 1894, four classes induced but nine dogs to compete. Birmingham in 1895, only six dogs competed in nine classes, whilst at Cruft's exhibition, at the Agricultural Hall, in February, 1896, seven classes contained but seventeen competitors, whilst in 1901 there were even fewer, and at the Kennel Club's show in 1902 four classes had but seven entries. No doubt this decadence of popularity in the Bedlington terriers arises from the manner in which they continue to be trimmed and "got up" for show purposes. To such an extent is this being done that several protests have been laid against certain prize winners, which, however, have been over-ruled by the Kennel Club. A Bedlington terrier "dressed" and one in its natural state are very different animals in appearance, and until all are shown as nature made them, I see no hope for this useful dog taking the position it deserves.

Mr. W. E. Alcock, late of Sunderland, had, at one time, a large kennel of Bedlington terriers, and usually won a majority of the prizes. Other great

admirers and exhibitors of the breed have been or are Mr. A. Hastie, Newcastle; Mr. F. Roberts, Cardiff; Mr. J. A. Baty, Newcastle; Mr. C. T. Malling, Mr. H. E. James (Devonshire), Mr. John Smith, Montrose; Mr. J. W. Blench, Mr. H. Warnes, Eye; Mr. W. Wear, Gateshead; Lady Goode, Windsor; Mr. and Mrs. P. R. Smith, Leeds; Mr. J. H. Ainslie, Gateshead; Mr. W. B. Baty, Newcastle; Mr. J. Cornforth, Mr. D. Ross, Mr. W. J. Onions, Messrs. Wears and Graham. The best filled classes of Bedlington terriers are undoubtedly to be seen at the shows in and about Newcastle, but for some reason or other this game terrier has not had a happy time, and forming an opinion from my own observations, I am afraid his nose is rapidly being put out of joint by other terriers no better than he. Nor have dissensions in the clubs originally established to further his popularity done anything to stop his retrogression as a popular dog.

The Bedlington terrier is not an expensive dog to buy, as a first-class specimen may be obtained at prices varying from £10 to £20, or even as low as a five pound note. When we remember that quite a third-rate fox terrier has before now been sold for £300, one wonders where the difference comes in. But fashion is accountable for it, and

the Bedlington terrier is not a dog that has changed much in character or form since its introduction to the public.

The following are the points and description issued by the National Bedlington Terrier Club :--

"Skull.-Narrow, but deep and rounded; high at occiput, and covered with a nice silky tuft or topknot.

Jaw.-Long, tapering, sharp, and muscular; as little stop as possible between the eyes, so as to form nearly a line from the nose-end along the jaw of the skull to the occiput; the lips close-fitting and no flew.

Eyes. Should be small and well sunk in head. The blues should have a dark eye. The blue and tan ditto, with amber shades. Livers, sandies, &c.,

"Teeth.-Level, or pincer-jawed.

Ears.-Moderately large, well forward, flat to

the cheek, thinly covered and tipped with fine silky hair. They should be filbert-shaped.

'Legs. Of moderate length, not wide apart, straight and square-set, and with good sized feet, which are rather long.

"Tail.-Thick at root tapering to point, slightly feathered on lower side, gin. to 11in. long, and scimitar-shaped.

"Neck and Shoulders.-Neck long, deep at base, rising well from shoulders, which should be flat.

Body.-Long and well proportioned, flat-ribbed, and deep, not wide in chest, slightly arched back, well ribbed up, with light quarters.

"Coat. Hard, with close bottom, and not lying flat to sides. '

"Colour.-Dark blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, sandy and tan.

Height.-About 15in. to 16in.

Weight. Dogs about 24lb.; bitches about 22lb. "General Appearance. He is a light made-up, lathy dog, but not shelly."

I should allot the points as follows, but the Bedlington Terrier Club does not publish any numerals :

There was a time, and that not very long ago, when the competition in the Bedlington terrier classes at all our shows was much keener than it is now. It is seldom we see terriers of this variety running in the streets at the heels of their owners, yet they are quite as likely animals for the house and as companions as either the Airedale terrier or the Irish terrier, and are certainly more cleanly than the shorter legged terriers of any of the Scottish strains.