Page:The power of the dog.djvu/79

 his collaterals and progeny are worthy knights of the held, we should not worry about that. The main thing is to see that the points which the exhibitor strives to produce are not incompatible with working qualities. The aim of these gentlemen is to breed a symmetrical dog which shall be built much upon the lines of a hunter, and it is necessary that he should have a hard coat fitting him for duties in all weathers. The markings, mere externals, are immaterial, although it is a common thing to hear a novice enlarge upon the beauties of his terrier because he happens to have some nice even black and tan upon his head. Such considerations as this should be left to the "fancier" pure and simple. In a toy it is perfectly legitimate to lay stress upon colour and marking, for his main object in life is to please the eye, but in a working dog conformation and stamina should have precedence over everything else. Fire and courage are essentials, without which a fox terrier, or a terrier of any kind, is but a sorry impostor, suitable only to adorn a cushion by the fireside. There may be individuals who prefer this kind of creature, but happily few are to be found in the ranks of terrier breeders.