The Bedlington Terrier

( Originally Published 1920 )

This breed in appearance resembles a miniature Deerhound. They originated among the sportloving miners and gypsies in the north of England, who have bred them for a great many years, and have produced a useful type of dog of undeniable gameness which will cheerfully tackle anything that wears hair.

Their looks are against their ever becoming great public favorites, but as all-around workmen in a rough country for rabbit coursing, ferreting, and to work to the gun, they are unequaled. They have exceptionally keen noses, take readily to the water, are devoted to their masters, but are usually suspicious of strangers. They have many good qualities which will recommend them to all those who admire a game working Terrier.

In buying a Bedlington don't look at a shortlegged, stumpy-built dog, as they should be active and of racy build. Don't pay any attention to one with bad teeth or a large, full eye. Don't pick one that has a thin, silky coat that would not protect its owner from water or exposure to the elements. Don't look at one with a full, rounded body and wellsprung ribs, and, last of all, don't accept one which is not game as a pebble and an energetic workman.

The chief points to look for in the selection of Bedlington puppies at from two to four months old and after, are: A long, snaky head; narrow skull; small eye; drop ears, lying close to the side of the head; short body; short sickle tail; straight forelegs, and dense lint coat.

The standard of the breed is as follows: SKULL.-Narrow, but deep and rounded; high at occiput, and covered with a nice silky tuft or top-knot. 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 joint of the skull to the occiput. The lips close-fitting, and no flew.

EYES.-Should be small and well sunk into the head. The blues should have a dark eye; the blueand-tan ditto, with amber shade, livers, sandies, etc., a light-brown eye.

NOSE.-Large, well angled. Blues and blue-andtans should have black noses; livers and sandies, flesh-colored noses.

TEETH.-Level, or pincer-jawed. EARS.-Moderately large, carried 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 a point, slightly feathered on lower side, 9 inches to 11 inches 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; back slightly arched, well ribbed up, with light quarters.

COAT.-Hard, with close bottom, and not lying flat to the sides.

COLOR.-Dark blue, blue-and-tan, liver, liverand-tan, sandy, sandy-and-tan.

HEIGHT.-About 15 to 16 inches.

GENERAL APPEARANCE.-A lightly made up, lathy dog, but not Shelly.