CHAPTER XXXIX

THE SCOTTISH TERRIER

SCOTLAND is prolific in Terriers, and for the most part these are long-backed and short-legged dogs. Such are the Dandie Dinmont, the Skye, and the Aberdeen Terriers, the last now merged in the class recognised at our shows as the Scottish, or Scotch, Terrier; but the old hard and short-haired "Terry" of the West of Scotland was much nearer in shape to a modern Fox-terrier, though with a shorter and rounder head, the colour of his hard, wiry coat mostly sandy, the face free from long hair, although some show a beard, and the small ears carried in most instances semi-erect, in some pricked.

The descriptions given by Youatt, Richardson, and "Stonehenge are in practical agreement, and apply to the kind of Terrier spoken of. There has, however, been of late years a rearrangement of classes of Terriers, and it is with those now recognised by the several clubs and show authorities that we have to deal.

The dogs now recognised as Scotch Terriers are closely allied to the Skye Terrier, and by a number of gentlemen of Skye and the South-west Highlands were at one time called Skye Terriers. It was suggested that, as they presented sufficiently distinctive. characteristics, they might form a separate class at our shows, under the name of Highland Terriers. The idea, but not the name, was adopted; indeed, the name has given rise to some discussion. Cairn Terrier was suggested, but not generally adopted; they have also been called the "Die-hards."

"Whinstone" insisted on the breed being called the Scottish Terrier. Under the words "Scots" and "Scottish" Dr. Ogilvie refers those who consult this dictionary to Scotch," which, he says, "is the established word." As long as we get Scotch collops from Scotch bullocks, and Scotch whiskey from Scotch barley, to aid the digestion of the collops, we may surely have Scotch Terriers ; and, at all events, the Terrier under any name will bite as sore.

Mr. J. Gordon Murray, in the First Edition of "British Dogs," described three strains of these Terriers, according to the localities

in which they were reared, and, as will be seen, differing only in minor points. Of these he says:

"The Mogstad Skyes were of a dark greyish colour, with wiry hair from 3in. to 3in. long, with body low but long, and measuring well in girth; legs stout and short, and well provided with very strong claws; the greater part prick-eared, and all of them excellent workers.

The Drynocks are another very splendid breed of the original pure Skyes, closely resembling the common Scotch seal in colour, short, wiry hair, with body of a medium size, a good deal like the Mogstads, and all of them first-rate workers.

The Camusennaries are another famous breed of the very real and pure Skye Terriers, and derive their name from a wild and mountainous tract of land in Skye, extending from Coirnisk on the west to the Spar Cave on the east. The breed was originally reared there by a Lieut. Macmillan, long passed away; the whole of them short, wiry-haired, like the afore-named breeds; colour almost always dark all over, middle part of hair in many instances grey, but again dark next the skin, no white on feet or chest ; a thin, medium-sized prick ear, and very pointed; and in every third or fourth litter a reddish-yellow one."

Among Scottish fanciers Captain Mackie did a great deal towards improving the breed, though his first love was for a dog of a type not now recognised-namely, the long, low, bat-eared Skye form. He was a man of remarkable force and energy, and, as is often the case with such men, of a singularly frank and generous disposition. On the subject of this Terrier he was an enthusiast, and undertook voyages among the Hebrides, and long and arduous journeys through the Western Highlands, collecting information, and purchasing the best specimens of the breed procurable, from the oldest known strains. The story of at least one of these journeys of discovery is excellently told in the "Dogs of Scotland," to which we refer readers for details. The result was that Captain Mackie soon got together a kennel of these Highland Terriers of acknowledged superiority.

As companion dogs of the Terrier group, the Scottish Terriers possess qualities that recommend them to many. They are hardy and plucky, will stand any weather, and are good for any amount of sport. Disposed to be impetuous and self-willed, they often require more than ordinary care in training; but that is well repaid, for the material is good to work upon. Another advantage to many people is that the coat being of a length and quality that does not long hold wet and dirt-these dogs may be allowed a place on the hearth-rug or the door-mat; and those who want a dog, of whatever

breed, to be really obedient, lovable, and well-behaved, cannot have the animal too much with them.

With regard to the popularity of the Scottish Terrier (Fig. 97) in this country, no better proof can be adduced than that afforded by the entries at shows of the present day, or by the number of registrations that are recorded at the Kennel Club. One has but to carry one's mind back twenty years to fully recognise the headway the compact little Terrier has made in the Fancy. Though in this respect, of course, not to be compared with the Fox-terrier and one or two other breeds that might be instanced, yet he has made a bold bid for the favour of the dog-fancying public, and the measure of success attained could hardly have been anticipated by

even the dog's warmest admirers. As indicating the possibilities there are in breeding the Scottish Terrier, it is worthy of record that at least £250 has been paid for a first-class specimen.

To what, then, it may be asked, is this popularity due? Mainly, it may be said, to the exertions of a few ardent souls, foremost among whom were Mr. J. A. Adamson and Mr. H. J. Ludlow, both of whom were breeding, showing, and winning prizes a quarter of a century ago, and working with a will to make known, by every legitimate means, the game and hardy Terrier whose cause they had espoused. Later on we find Mr. Ludlow, in conjunction with Messrs. Blomfield, Hammond, and Spelman, rendering still further service to the breed by bestirring themselves to establish a Club, which was accomplished in 1887, and now lives and flourishes

exceedingly. It was about this time that Scotchmen woke up to the fact that there was money in the breed, and that, moreover, they were passionately fond of their native Terrier. Whether this is so or not matters but little; for henceforth the admirers of the Scottish Terrier steadily increased, until it now boasts a strong phalanx of supporters on both sides of the Border, while even across St. George's its merits have duly been recognised.

Even at this lapse of time Mr. Ludlow as a breeder and an exhibitor stands pre-eminent. To him belongs the credit of not only having bred a host of champions, but also more winners than any half a dozen living fanciers-a record that will not be readily effaced.

To refer to all the owners entitled to be placed on the scroll of fame during the past twenty years would serve no good purpose. All that is called for is the enumeration of a few of the more noteworthy during that period, which is perhaps the most important in the history of the breed, as it has witnessed the gradual rise of the dog into favour, to the detriment, undoubtedly, of its near relatives the Skye Terrier and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, both of which it has easily outdistanced in the race.

First and foremost there have been Mr. H. J. Ludlow, Mr. J. D. McColl, Mr. J. F. Alexander, Mr. R. H. Blain, Mr. W. W. Spelman, Mr. J. Nuttall, Mr. C. H. Wood, Mr. C. B. Allen, Mr. G. H. Stephens, Mr. W. McLeod, Captain Wetherall, Mr. Robt. Chapman, Messrs. Astley and Aston, Mr. P. Taylor, Mr. A. Kinnear, Mr. J. N. Reynard, Mr. A. MacBrayne, Mr. D. J. Thomson Gray, Mr. A. M'Kerrow, and Mr. H. Panmure Gordon. Even of this restricted list many, alas! are not now with us.

Of the names just mentioned there is none that was more enthusiastic over the Scottish Terrier than the late Mr. D. J. Thomson Gray, a thoroughly practical fancier, keen critic, fairminded man, and a ready writer. Some seven or eight years ago he contributed to the columns of The Bazaar a splendid series of papers upon the "Terriers of Scotland," and neither before nor since has anything more genuinely interesting in connection with dogs or truer to life been published in that journal. Writing of the Scottish Terrier, he says:—

"Few there be that know anything about dogs that do not recognise the perky little chap called the Scottish Terrier. He is by no means an old resident south of the Tweed; for it is only some twenty years since he was introduced to the southern dog-public. But from time immemorial the breed has existed in the Highlands and islands of Scotland, the daily companion of the fox-hunter, a solitary individual quite distinct and far removed from your English fox-hunter. The Highland fox

hunter lives in a small thatched sheiling, often remote from civilisation, his sole companions being a variety of Hound and a brace or two of Scottish Terriers. With an old gun his tout ensemble is complete. The Terriers oust the fox from the cairns (a collection of stones), and the old man polishes him off with his musket. If he misses or only wounds Reynard, the Hound is laid on, and finishes the job. But sometimes Reynard is able to baffle the old man with his Terriers, Hound, and gun, and escape scot free. In temperament the Scottish Terrier somewhat resembles the English Fox-terrier. I say English Fox-terrier for, I may here explain that the Scottish Terrier in his native glen is called a Foxterrier. Both breeds are of active habits, and are, as working dogs, used for the same purposes.

As behoves a resident in a cold and damp climate, 'Scottie' is clothed with a more rugged and more closely built coat, and his build and general appearance are more allied to the workman than the swell. All the same, Scottie is a gay fellow when he is properly dressed up not faked-and he is ready at any time to fight for his place. One thing observable in these Terriers is that they are not quarrelsome among themselves. They are very easily kept under control, much more so than the Dandie, but they are not wanting in 'go.' For workmen these Terriers must be small, some of them being little over half the size of the ordinary show dog. Weedy? No; far from it. The wee dog has a big heart, and it is not size that gives pluck; moreover, the dog is not wanted to worry, but to bolt the fox or otter, as the case may be, by continual snapping at him and making him 'flit.' He must, however, have sufficient pluck to stick to his game until he bolts; otherwise he is useless. Unless Scottish Terriers are small they are of no use to oust foxes from the hill cairns, or otters from the rocks on the seashore or river-bank. Those who have followed the fox know how small a hole he will pass through, and unless the Terriers are small, they cannot reach him. As it is some of them get jammed in the rocks by dislodging stones in scraping to get at the fox, and never come out again.

The working Scottish Terrier is a good water-dog, and it is a pretty sight to see three or four lay hold of an otter in the water, although it is a very risky business. For hunting in broom and whin (furze) he is well adapted, as he makes things lively for bunny. He gives tongue when hunting, and is sometimes very noisy when game is in sight. Scottie likes to amuse himself by hunting up and killing rats; but he is at all times a companion and a friend in need' to the country gentleman or the rural dweller.

In the Highlands the principal colours are red and dark brindles. Sometimes fawns of different shades turn up; but white specimens are only to be found at Poltalloch, where they are bred and carefully