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suddenly appeared on the show bench, although then claimed as a native of Wales, or to have originally sprung therefrom, there was evidence to prove that this identical dog had long flourished in the north of England, and in some districts was still to be found uncrossed with the modern fox terrier, and, so far as could be discovered, of comparatively pure blood.

A striking episode bearing on the above occurred at Darlington show in 1893, when Mr. H. M. Bryan's Dick Turpin entered in two classes (for both of which he had been registered at the Kennel Club), the one as a Welsh terrier and the other as an Old English terrier, won first prize in the former and came reserve in the latter. These awards were made by specialist judges of both varieties, so there could be nothing said about their incompetence, &c. The matter was brought before the Kennel Club, but their decision did not assist matters in the least, and since that time Dick Turpin has won many prizes in both classes, his last appearance being at Liverpool in 1896, when he came third as "an Old English terrier." It It may be instructive to the future historian of the so-called Welsh terrier to know that this dog was placed in the prize list ten times as a Welsh terrier (once at Birmingham under Mr. Whiskin, a Welshman), and

sixteen times as an Old English terrier, and at least three of the judges had honoured him as a good representative of each breed or variety. I need hardly say that Dick Turpin had nothing Welsh about him, and was just such a dog as Mr. T. Wootton describes on a preceding page. Nor is the case of "Dick Turpin" isolated, for several other terriers have been similarly shown, though their duality has not been of such frequent occurrence. Such are the vagaries of dog shows.

When the Kennel Club authorities consented to its entry in the Stud Book in 1886 the classification of "Welsh or Old English wire-haired black and tan terriers " was given, a title which, though rather long, was the correct one to adopt as likely to suit both parties concerned, for already there had been a division in the camp; the north of England fanciers of the variety wishing their rights acknowledged, and the Welshmen doing likewise. The former attempted to establish a club to promote the Old English hardhaired black and tan terrier, and failed so to do; the latter proved successful in forming a similar coterie to look after the interests of the Welsh terrier, and to see that its merits were appreciated by dog show committees and the public at large. So successful did the Welshmen prove, that, not contented with obtaining all they required for their own favourite,

they contrived to persuade the Kennel Club to abolish the name of Old English terrier altogether; and, be the animal of Northumberland, Cumberland,. Westmorland, Durham, Devon, or Yorkshire extraction, his nativity has no locus standi, and Welsh he must be to the end of his days. It was in 1888 that the Welsh terrier, as such, first appeared in the Stud Book. Such is a brief history of the popular progress of this dog, which up to a certain period was particularly rapid.

In early Welsh terrier days I was in conversation with a native of the principality, where his ancestors had lived for generations on their own estate-a sporting one, occupied by a sporting family. Here came a chance to obtain information about his native terrier. "Welsh terrier?" said he; "why, bless me! there isn't such a thing, unless you mean all the cross-bred little creatures to be seen in any of our country towns." This was a knockdown blow at the outset for the man in search of knowledge; but not long after I had the good fortune to travel for some distance with a well-known authority on all matters canicular, whose residence was likewise in Wales. "You wish to learn something about Welsh terriers," said he; "why, I am sorry to say the dog show judges are going in altogether for the wrong type.' "Then there is a breed of real

Welsh terriers?" said I. "Oh, yes; most certainly," said my friend; "but they are big dogs-25lb. weight or more, with shortish, close, hard coats; active, hardy-looking fellows; black and tan in colour, and particularly useful in working very rough covert on mountainous ground, such as is found in so many of the hilly, and wild districts. But," continued my informant, "points of beauty are not considered of such importance as gameness and ability to work. Their ears are usually large, and the skull is generally rounder between the ears than is quite orthodox in the modern fox terrier." Here was another opinion. A few years ago I bought what was said to be a Welsh terrier, which proved to be a moderate specimen of the ordinary white and tan marked wire-haired fox terrier of the present day.

A standard, which ought to be adopted by the judges at all dog shows, has been carefully drawn up, and the terrier of which we write must, according to the club, be not more than about 20lb. weight, black and tan in colour, quite free from white, though white on the breast or feet does not amount to absolute disqualification; coat, hard, close, and water and weather resisting; head, jaw, ears, build, and general appearance identical with the modern fox terrier; but the crisper coat and darker colour give the Welsh terrier a

more dare-devil and determined appearance than the far more fashionable fox terriers.

Now I have known dogs of the above description: since my boyhood in the north of England; specimens as good as anything seen nowadays I came across long before ever the Welsh terrier was thought of as it is now. Most of those of Welsh

origin that appeared at the earlier shows were lighter and weaker in jaw than the English variety, finer in bone, and with more than a tendency to be round or domed on the skull. This was

especially to be noticed in Dau Lliw, a smart little bitch about 15lb. in weight, I should say, who for some time was at the head of her race, but her teeth were not quite level. Mr. C. H. Beck's Fan was. another excellent bitch of similar stamp, but scarcely so round between the tops of the ears as the one previously mentioned. Major Savage more recently showed some first rate terriers that were much of the same style, and those which now come from the kennels of Mr. W. S. Glynn are altogether of a superior stamp.

We have thus quite four diverse opinions, let alone two or three more which emanate from the decisions of some modern show bench judges who have too frequently award prizes to narrow-chested, flatribbed abortions, soft in coat, and minus all character,

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