In the following letter afterwards published in The Field, Mr. Bradshaw Smith denies this asserted elongation of the body and ears of the Dandie, and also of the dachshund cross; and, as his authority stands deservedly at the highest point, I insert it at length, though I confess I am not convinced on either of these points, as my memory is quite distinct upon the elongation, and is supported by the portraits of Sir Walter Scott's dog, which are easily referred to for confirmation:

"Sir, - If not trespassing too much on your valuable space I may here be allowed to show how I first became possessed of this historic breed.

"During my residence in Roxburghshire my fancy was greatly taken by several specimens I saw of this game little animal. In 1841 I bought the first Dandie I ever possessed, and since that date I have no hesitation in stating that more Dandie Dinmonts have passed through my hands than through those of any half dozen of fanciers. I feel myself competent, therefore, to give a decided opinion on the article penned by 'Stonehenge,' although it be at variance with his remarks.

"In the first place it seems to me an entire mistake on his part that the Dandie \Dinmont of the present day is longer in the body than formerly. My observation tends rather in an opposite direction.

"Secondly, a strong characteristic of the breed has ever been tenacity of purpose, and I have only known two of my dogs which could be taught at command to leave the trail of either fox or rabbit; certainly it would be a hopeless task to prevent a Dandie Dinmont from engaging with a fox were an opportunity to offer. I consider the animal as naturally good-tempered, but when once roused he is ready to seize hold of anything within reach. When I first kept these dogs I was ignorant of their extremely excitable nature, and had many killed from time to time in fights, either in the kennels or at the entrance of rabbit holes; in short, when once their blood is fairly up they become utterly unmanageable. On this account for years past (though I keep a number) I do not allow more than one dog and one bitch in a kennel, but sometimes a dog and two bitches if very harmonious. The first I had worried, many years ago, was a beautiful little fellow 141b. weight, bred by Mr. Kerss (Bowhill), from a sister of Stoddart's old Dandie and his own old Pepper. He was killed in the night time by another of my dogs, to my great annoyance.

When I mentioned the circumstance to Mr. Kerss, he informed me that during the time the little animal belonged to him he had worried some of his, amongst the number a Newfoundland pup six months old. Yet it is by no means always the most excitable and pugnacious animal that stands the severe test, viz., to face alone two badgers at once, and fasten upon one of them whilst the other in turn attacks him, as I have known very many do. For my part, I prefer the dog who encounters his. antagonist coolly and without any fuss.

"In conclusion, I annex a list of the kennels I purchased, viz., that of Mr. Somner (including his crack dog Shem), those of Messrs. Purves, Frain, M'Dougald (including his famous Old Mayday), J. Stoddart (who sold to me his celebrated Old Dandie), and many other Dandies from Mr. Milne, of Faldonside, bred from his famous Old Jenny, from Mr. Jas. Kerss (Bowhill), and likewise from the Haining, near Selkirk. From these ancestors my dogs are purely and lineally descended.

"Apologising for having occupied so much of your columns,

"E. Bradshaw Smith".

"Zurich, Switzerland, November, 1877.

The accepted history of the Dandie is on this wise. Early in the present century a Scottish tenant farmer named Davidson, possessed a breed of terriers for which he was so famous, that Sir Walter Scott introduced him into " Guy Mannering," under the name of Dandie Dinmont, and as a consequence he and his dogs became celebrated wherever the English language was spoken, and the terriers were henceforward known by the name assumed in the novel. Davidson and his neighbour, Mr. Somner, of West Morriston, near Kelso, bred great numbers of Dandies to meet the demand created by Scott and the breed gradually spread, the Duke of Buccleuch and Sir G. Douglas adding to their prestige by each obtaining a supply, which they kept up for some years in great purity. Mr. Stoddart, of Selkirk; Mr. Milne, of Faldonside; Mr. Frain, of the Trews: Mr. M'Dougall, of Cessford; Mr. Nisbit, of Rumbleton; Dr. Brown, of Melrose; Mr. Hugh Purvis, of Leaderfoot; Mr. Aitken, of Edinburgh; Mr. N. Milne, of Faldonside; and last, but not least, Mr. Bradshaw Smith, of Ecclefechan, also obtained the breed; and to one or other of these several kennels, all the dogs of the present day possessed of a pedigree trace their descent.

Mr. Bradshaw Smith bought most of his dogs from Mr. Somner about thirty-five years ago, in consequence of the latter exchanging country for a town life, the list of kennels purchased being given above by himself. These several strains, crossed with great care by Mr. Bradshaw Smith, have kept him " at the head of the poll" for many years, and "from Mr. Bradshaw Smith's kennel" is always a certificate of high merit.

In order to set at rest the contested points of this breed, a club was established about five years ago, and they speedily appointed a committee to draw up a scale of points, with which I fully agree, and which were afterwards circulated, and revised at a general meeting of the club. They are as follows:

Points Of The Dandie Dinmont As Supplied By The D.D. Club

Grand Total 100.