This is a Dandie." Well might Mr. Bradshaw Smith write of this effusion, " such a description of this beautiful animal is enough to mak auld Dandie Dinmont himsel loup oot o' his grave."

Had Mr. Collins's description not been written seriously, but as a caricature, it would have been excellent.

The character of the Dandie as a vermin dog is first rate; he is plucky, keen, and resolute, and at the same time easier kept under command than some other breeds; and the graphic terms in which Scott, in "Guy Mannering," speaks of him in this capacity still holds good, for, when "regularly entered, first wi' rattans, then wi' stots or weasels, and then wi' the tods and brocks, they fear naething that ever cam' wi' a hairy skin on't." They also, when trained, make excellent rabbiters, and can stand any amount of fatigue, although not so lissome on very rough ground as lighter and more leggy terriers.

As companion and house dogs I like them very much. They are quick and watchful in the house, and, although they are not a beautiful variety of dog, or to be compared in symmetry with the fox terrier and some others, they possess a most distinct and unmistakable character that separates them, even to the eye of the least observant, from the "common herd," and their quaintness and great sagacity amply made up for lack of beauty.

The following description of the general appearance and special points of this dog were drawn up by Mr. W. Wardlaw Reid and myself, from the written opinions of members of the clubs and other old breeders and fanciers.

In forming an opinion of a dog's merits, the general appearance (by which is meant the impression which a dog makes as a whole on the eye of the judge) should be first considered. Secondly should be noticed the dog's size, shape, and make, i.e., its proportions in the relation they bear to each other; no point should be so much in excess of the others as to destroy the general symmetry, and cause the dog to appear deformed or interfere with its usefulness in the occupations for which it is specially adapted. Thirdly, the dog's style, carriage, gait, temperament, and each of its other points should be considered separately.

Point 1. General appearance. The general appearance of the Dandie Dinmont terrier is that of a rough-coated, thick-set dog, very low on its legs, and having a body very flexible and long in proportion to its height; but broad, deep-chested, and compact. The head very large, with broad and well-domed skull, covered with light coloured hair of a softer and more silky texture than that on the body. This hairy scalp very often gives the head an appearance of being disproportionate to the body, when such is not actually the case. Jaws long and slightly tapering to the nose, which must be large and always black; covered with shorter and slightly harder hair than on the body. Neck thick and muscular; shoulders low, and back slightly curved down behind them, with a corresponding arch of the loins, which are broad and strong. Ears pendulous, and bearing low. Legs short and very muscular. The Dandie carries in his countenance the appearance of great determination, strength, and activity, with a constant and vigilant eagerness to be busy.

In brief, he is an embodiment of docility, courage, strength, intelligence, and alertness.

Point 2. The head should be large, and rather heavy looking in proportion to the dog's size. Skull broad between the ears, with a very gradual and slight taper towards the eyes. It should be long from back to front, with high forehead and cranium conical and well domed, measuring about the same from the point of the eye to back of skull as it does between the base of ears; and round the largest part about a third more than the dog's height at the shoulder. The head should always be covered with soft silky hair, not curled, but slightly wavy, and not confined to a mere top-knot; it is also of a much lighter colour than that on the body. The cheeks, starting from the ears, proportionately broad with the skull, should, without any unsightly bulge, taper very gradually towards the muzzle, the muscles showing extraordinary development, more especially those that move the lower jaw. The head of the bitch, as in nearly every other breed of dogs, is comparatively smaller and lighter in proportion to that of the dog.

Point 3. The muzzle should be long, deep, and very powerful; very slightly tapering to the nose, which should be large, well formed, well spread over the muzzle, and always black. The muzzle should measure from the corner of the eye to the tip of the nose about 3in. in length, or in proportion to length of skull as three is to five, and round close in front of the eyes, about two and a half to three times its length. The muzzle should be thinly covered with short and hardish hair of rather darker colour than on the body; the top of muzzle should be nearly bare for about an inch from the black part of the nose, coming to a point towards the eye. A foxey or snipey muzzle is very objectionable. The jaws should be long and powerful, with very strong teeth, perfectly level in front, the canines should fit well into each other so as to give the greatest available holding and punishing power. A pig-jawed or undershot mouth is very objectionable, though, as it occurs in the purest strains, it cannot be altogether considered a disqualification.

The mouth should be very large and the roof of it very dark, almost always black.

Point 4. The eyes should be wide apart, large, round, moderately full, very clear, bright, and expressive of great intelligence, set low, and well in front of forehead. Colour, a rich brown or hazel, yellowness being a great fault. Frequently they have a dark ring round the eye, the hair of which is rather short and of a downy nature. This dark shade, together with that (already referred to) down the centre of the nose, contrasts beautifully with the bright silvery top-knot, and imparts to them that gipsy, game, and genuine appearance which is an essential characteristic in the Dandie.