The White English Terrier

( Originally Published 1920 )

This is a comparatively new breed, and is the only Terrier that bears the national name. There is no evidence to show where it originally sprang from, who produced it, or for what reason.

Before the institution of dog shows the generic term "Terrier" was applied to all earth dogs, and it would be difficult to prove that a white Terrier resembling those now under consideration existed at that time. There is little difference between the white English Terrier and the Manchester blackwhite-and-tan, except in color, for they are of similar shape and general character.

The standard as laid down by the White English Terrier Club is as follows:

HEAD.-Narrow, long, and level; almost flat skull, without cheek muscles, wedge-shaped, well filled up under the eyes, tapering to the nose, and not lippy.

EYES.-Small and black, set fairly close together, and oblong in shape.

NOSE.-Perfectly black.

EARS.-Cropped and standing perfectly erect.

NECK AND SHOULDERS.-The neck should be fairly long and tapering from the shoulders to the head, with sloping shoulders, the neck being free from throatiness, and slightly arched at the occiput. CHEST.-Narrow and deep.

BODY.-Short and curving upward at the loins; sprung out behind the shoulders, back slightly arched at loins, and falling again at the joining of the tail to the same height as the shoulders.

LEGS.-Perfectly straight and well under the body, moderate in bone, and of proportionate length.

FEET.-Feet nicely arched, with toes set well together, and more inclined to be round than harefooted.

TAIL.-Moderate length, and set on where the arch of the back ends, thick where it joins the body, tapering to a point, and not carried higher than the back.

COAT.-Close, hard, short, and glossy. COLOR.-Pure white; colored marking to disqualify.

CONDITION.-Flesh and muscles to be hard and firm.