However much inbred the originals of the present strain of Bedlingtons may have been, there is now no need for its continuance to the extent of producing a weakened vitality in the produce.

The following quotations from a letter on the subject by Mr. W. J. Donkin, at one time secretary of the Bedlington Terrier Club, is in some points confirmatory of the above, and throws some additional light on the history of the breed. He says: -

"During the first quarter of the nineteenth century Mr. Edward Donkin, of Flotterton - still dear to the old sportsmen of Coquet-side by the familiar sobriquet of 'Hunting Ned' - hunted a pack of Foxhounds well known in the Rothbury district. At that time he possessed two very celebrated kennel Terriers, called Peachum and Pincher. A colony of sporting nailers from Staffordshire then flourished at Bedlington (a village situated about twelve miles north from Newcastle); they were noted for their plucky breed of Terriers. But reform was at hand, and the old favourites were obliged to make way for new blood. To Joseph Ainsley, a mason by trade, belongs this honour. He purchased a dog named Peachum from Mr. Cowen, of Rock Law, and the result of a union of this dog with Mr. Christopher Dixon's Phcebe, of Longhorsley, was Piper, belonging to James Anderson, of Rothbury Forest. Piper was a dog of slender build, about 15 in. high, and 151b. weight. He was of a liver colour, the hair being a sort of hard, woolly lint; his ears were large, hung close to his cheeks, and were slightly feathered at the tip. In the year 1820 Mr. Howe, of Alnwick, visited a friend at Bedlington, and brought with him a Terrier bitch named Phoebe, which he left with Mr. Edward Coates of the Vicarage. Phoebe belonged to Mr. Andrew Riddle, of Framling-ton, who subsequently made a present of her to Ainsley; but from the fact of her home being at the Vicarage, she was generally known as Coates's Phoebe. Her colour was black, with sort of branded legs, and she had a light-coloured tuft of hair on her head. She was about 13m. high, and weighed 141b. In 1825 she was mated with Anderson's Piper, and the fruit of this union was the Bedlington Terrier in question, Mr. Ainsley being the first to claim that title for his dog Piper.

The Bedlington Terrier is fast, and whether on land or water is equally at home. He is wiry, enduring, and in courage equal to the Bulldog, encountering otter, fox, or badger with the greatest determination."

The same writer, in common with most fanciers of the breed, claims for them a pedigree going back to 1792; but it is quite clear from the above statement that an admixture of Terrier blood from Staffordshire was introduced, and the colour of the Alnwick bitch bred from by Ainsley goes to show she was not, in that point at least, what we recognise a Bedlington to be. The evidence, written and traditional, is, however, conclusive that a Terrier of a distinct type had, prior to that, been recognised as peculiar to the district, and the infusion of a strain of foreign blood, although it might modify, would probably not greatly alter the original type.

In respect of the character of the Bedlington, it may be said that he is somewhat self-willed, remarkably lively, with plenty of "go," capital at vermin, showing plenty of courage and bottom, receiving punishment in silence, and returning it with interest; he possesses a style quite his own, and is stamped with character, which removes him from any suspicion of mongrelism. As already noted, he is a first-class water dog, and most intelligent, obedient, and useful as guard and companion.