Like many other breeds, the White English Terrier has undergone considerable modification since public dog shows came into being. How the modern dog of that name was manufactured one cannot with certainty say. Mr. Fred White, of Clapham, Mr. James Roocroft, Mr. Peter Swindells, and a few other Lancashire fanciers could throw light on the subject; but possibly a small dash of a light-bodied and rather weedy Fox-terrier, and a strong dash of Bull-terrier and Whippet, were some of the ingredients used.

In the early days of exhibitions the White English Terrier was a comparatively thick-headed and a heavier made dog than its modern prototype. The Lancashire breeders appear to have taken the Black-and-tan Terrier as their model, and moulded the White Terrier to his form: it was a good line to take, and the idea has been worked out with considerable success, although in many specimens we are still unpleasantly reminded of the Italian Greyhound in the mincing gait, the wheel back, and the hooped tail, that detract from the Terrier character of specimens possessing them.

Among the old show celebrities Mr. Walker's (of Bolton) Old Tim stood high, winning at all the principal shows, and siring many good ones, some of his own name; whilst a host of others were called after him, for, in nomenclature, dog-fanciers are often imitative. Gem, by Old Tim out of Swindell's Empress, was another great success in the ring; and his son Joe, out of Pink, was, like his sire and dam, a great prize-winner - indeed, when the three last named were in one kennel and at their best, they were invincible. When they went off from their best form, Roocroft's (afterwards Mr. Alfred Benjamin's) Sylph and her son Silvio, by Joe, held supreme sway; and Mr. Mather's Vril and his Snow also succeeded in taking premier honours at many shows. These may all be said to be of the same blood, being more or less related; and close inbreeding will still be of advantage in fixing the type it has been the desire to establish.

Of course, in breeding-in a selection of the fittest must be made, for it is one of the facts connected therewith which should never be lost sight of, that there is a strong tendency in nature to reproduce individual characteristics as well as the features common to the family. It will also be admitted that the closer dogs can be bred without loss of vitality, the better, when the desire is to preserve type; for in-and-in breeding is the best safeguard against throwing back to any one of, it may be, the somewhat discordant elements out of which the breed was originally formed.

As to points, with the exception of colour, the White English Terrier (Fig. 107) may be judged by those of the Black-and-tan Terrier. The colour should be pure white, the eye small, rather oval shaped, and black, the nose black, the head well balanced, level, and gradually tapering. The ears used to be always cropped, which was a great pity, for some of these dogs have naturally pretty drop ears, thin and neat. Smartness of build, a close, dense, but smooth coat, and what is known as a "Terrier expression," are desiderata. As already said, the wheel back and hooped tail, inherited from no very remote ancestor, are very objectionable, and are generally accompanied by a soft, "unvarmint" look.

Fig. 107. - The White English Terrier.

This variety does not gain in popularity, nor do the numbers exhibited increase, the present-day specimens showing little improvement on their predecessors of the last twenty years. Cropping probably in the past prevented this smart-looking Terrier from having more admirers, and that was also responsible for the number of deaf specimens one met with - a defect that is not altogether eliminated from the modern dog. Yet another cause working against the popularity of the breed was the amount of fining that the tails received and the general touching-up necessary before a dog was considered in good condition for the judging-ring.

Mr. Yardley, of Birmingham, was for years known as a successful breeder of these Terriers, and his Spring (K.C.S.B. 8,717), although not so great a prize-winner as many others, proved most valuable at the stud, and a good number of the best now living are descended from him. Spring was by a dog of the same name, an own brother to Bill (K.C.S.B. 2,719), and therefore a small Bull-terrier. Spring's dam was by Joe out of Mystery.

Of younger sires, Mr. Tonk's Prince Bismarck, by Mr. Willet's Prince out of his Lady, proved very successful, many winners appearing among his progeny, the best of which was probably Mr. Heelis's Chessett's Model (K.C.S.B. 21,407).

Dog shows have increased in Scotland very much of late years, and White English Terriers are now encouraged there. Amongst the most constant breeders and exhibitors of this variety of late years have been Mr. W. Ballantyne (whose Champion Queen, now seven years old, is still amongst the winners), Mr. J. H. Walsh (who has shown many good specimens), Mr. James Cheadle (whose Champion Lady Superior has taken numerous prizes at the best shows), Miss Creswell, Mr. Samuel Hawkins, Mrs. A. Stafford, and Mr. Roger Hughes.

Some years since, when the lighter weight Bull-terriers were more popular than they are now, they were undoubtedly extensively crossed with White English Terriers to get down their size, and some the writer has had and many he has seen had some of the Bull-terrier blood in them. This could be traced in their skulls showing rather more fulness than the breed should possess, and in their more warlike dispositions. A good specimen of the White English Terrier is quite an aristocrat amongst Terriers - a high-class, superior type of dog, fit company for any one.

In selecting, take care that the colour is absolutely pure white, refusing any marked specimen, however slight. The skull should be narrow, long, level, and wedge-shaped, and any tendency to apple-head or a Bull-terrier-like head should not be lightly passed over. Small dark eyes, straight fore legs, and small V-shaped ears are also points to look for, though the last named in the case of a puppy not over teething troubles should not be too seriously considered, as young animals not infrequently carry their ears indifferently at such times.

The following is a description of the breed as now constituted: -

Head

Long and narrow, flat from the back of the skull to the nose, and with no bumps at sides or cheeks.

Muzzle

Long and tapering, but not weak.

Jaws

Strong, teeth close-fitting and even, with no lippiness.

Eyes

Small, oval shaped, bright in expression, and dark, nearly black, in colour.

Nose

Well defined, quite black, and of moderate size.

Ears

Small, fine in texture, V-shaped, and hanging close to the head.

Neck

Light and graceful, rather long, slightly arched.

Shoulders

Sloping; chest rather narrow, but deep.

Body

A little arched, with good back ribs.

Fore Legs

Quite straight, with well-arched toes and black nails.

Hindquarters

Strong and powerful, with hocks well let down.

Tail

Very fine, and carried almost straight or with a slight curve, but never curled over the back.

Coat

Short, fine, and glossy.

Colour

Pure white.

Weight

Should not exceed 2olb., even less is desirable.

General Appearance

That of a well-bred and high-class, smart and neat-looking dog, well suited for a companion or a house-guard.