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Dog Articles
Past and Present: Bedlington Terrier
The
Bedlington Terrier is a dog of very deceptive appearance, and this
may account in some degree for the fact that he has never been very
popular.
Clad in a
woolly coat and a smile that would have graced Mary's little lamb,
one who did not know him would hardly suspect the stout heart which
beats beneath the wool - the steel-trap jaws behind that cherubic
smile. He's as game as the gamest, and if you had a Bedlington
Terrier between you and a wild cat - well, you should feel sorry for
the wild cat. There has never been a pronounced fancy for the
Bedlington in this country, though he is a very distinctive dog,
resembling no other type. Not quite as large as the Airedale of
today, he is characterized by his harsh, rough coat and his
curiously lamblike head, occasioned by the silky pale top-knot and
brow.
In
conformation they are true Terriers - straight of back and leg and
active to a degree. Their color may be blue, blue and tan, liver,
liver and tan, sandy, or sandy and tan. In all colors the head
should be decidedly paler than the rest of the dog.
The Dandie
(or Dandy) Dinmont, a Scottish Terrier rather popular in this
country, resembles the Bedlington somewhat, but is extremely short
in the legs and big in the head. He is a quaint, affectionate little
fellow, whose woolly crown gives an odd expression of sadness to the
half-hidden eyes.
His
trustful eye, homely comeliness, and whimsical playfulness combine
to endear the Scottish Terrier strongly, and no dog is more
companionable or unobtrusively affectionate. In these traits he is
much like his rough little cousin, the West Highland White, from
which, in fact, he differs in nothing so much as in the color of his
coat.
The Scotty
is usually black or very dark grizzled with yellowish tips, although
steel or iron gray, brindle, sandy and wheaten specimens are
occasionally seen. The dark dogs are much more popular here,
however. A good dog should stand 10 to 12 inches and weigh 16 to 20
pounds.
The
long-whiskered face; low, strong body; short, heavy legs, and rather
heavy though gaily carried tail are all ‘earmarks’ of the well-bred
Scotty. He is all terrier, and with all his busy, active ways he
combines a dignity and solemnity of manner that is very amusing.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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