Living With Dogs

Read Living With Dogs for Free Online

Book: Read Living With Dogs for Free Online
Authors: Dr Hugh Wirth
resulted from crossing the old English white terrier, the Bulldog and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and in its early days it was used as a ratter and fighter. In the words of the British breeder and show judge Harry Glover, the Bull Terrier ‘was considered to be the associate of low fellows’. The breed was lifted above its humble origins by a Birmingham dog dealer, James Hinks, who produced a more distinguished all-white dog. Although the dog makes an affectionate companion, it is a fearless defender of property, and has been described as the gladiator of the canine race. Although it can be aggressive with other dogs or animals, it acts like a buffoon with humans. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier resulted from the crossing of the Bulldog and the old English smooth terrier.
CAIRN TERRIER
    The Cairn Terrier is a native of the western highlands of Scotland, and takes its name from the pile of rocks erected to identify a boundary or to mark a grave. These cairns became favourite hiding places for foxes and other vermin, and the terriers would dig their way in among the stones to drive out the foxes. The dogs are hard-coated, independent, curious, energetic and sturdy enough to face up to strong adversaries.
FOX TERRIER
    The Fox Terrier also has a sturdy character, and is just as good standing up to the enthusiastic handling of it by young children as it is pursuing foxes down their holes. The dog has an irrepressible spirit, and its staying power, eyesight and keen nose have made it a highly prized sporting dog. In the earliest days of fox hunting, the terriers were often carried by the riders in boxes or sacks, and only released after the larger foxhounds had driven the quarry to gound. It was then up to the Fox Terrier to flush the foxes out of their lairs.
    The dog can either be smooth-or wire-coated. The smooth-coated dog is thought to have been bred from the smooth-coated black-and-tan terrier, with subsequent infusions of Beagle, Bulldog and Greyhound; the Greyhound providing the breed’s characteristic long nose.
IRISH AND SCOTTISH TERRIERS
    Ireland and Scotland both produced their own terriers. The Irish Terrier has become known for its distinctive red coat and the devilish streak to its nature. Hence its nickname ‘the red devil’. The dogs were originally bred for sporting purposes, but they were frequently matched against each other in fights. They are staunchly loyal, protective of property, adapt easily to surroundings, and love to press themselves on their owners for attention. The black Scottish Terrier with its short legs and heavy build is less glamorous than its Irish cousin, but is loyal, determined and dour.
    Colonel E D Malcolm of Poltalloch, in Scotland, first drew attention to the West Highland White Terriers in the 19th century, after he had been breeding them for 60 years to cope with the difficult terrain of the region. Their self-assured, playful nature has made them increasingly popular ever since, and they have also had considerable success as show dogs.
JACK RUSSELL TERRIER
    The Jack Russell is named after the Reverend Jack Russell, a passionate English fox hunter of the mid-1800s. The Reverend Russell liked a longer-legged terrier that could follow the hounds on foot, and he is reported to have developed his own strain, based on a cross bred terrier bitch he bought from a milkman. The dog he produced was game and spirited and loved to hunt and rat.
Gun dogs
    Gun dogs originated in Europe from around the 17th century, when more sophisticated guns became available to shoot game. They were divided into different groups, according to the purpose for which they were bred. Setters and pointers would locate the game; spaniels whose job it was to ‘spring’ the game, getting the birds to fly into the air, or driving the rabbits out of their holes and making them run; retrievers would bring back the wounded or dead game to the shooter. The various gun dogs include the Cocker and Springer Spaniels,

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