the body, as the Scottish Terrier should not be out at elbows.  The hocks should be bent, and the thighs very muscular, and the feet strong, small and thickly covered with short hair, the fore feet being larger than the hind ones.  TAIL—­Should be about 7 inches long, never docked, carried with a slight bend and often gaily.  COAT—­Should be rather short (about 2 inches), intensely hard and wiry in texture, and very dense all over the body.  SIZE—­From 15 lb. to 20 lb.; the best weight being as near as possible 18 lb. for dogs, and 16 lb. for bitches when in condition for work.  COLOUR—­Steel or iron grey, black brindle, brown brindle, grey brindle, black, sandy and wheaten.  White markings are objectionable, and can only be allowed on the chest and to a small extent.  GENERAL APPEARANCE—­The face should wear a very sharp, bright and active expression, and the head should be carried up.  The dog (owing to the shortness of his coat) should appear to be higher on the leg than he really is; but at the same time he should look compact and possessed of great muscle in his hind-quarters.  In fact, a Scottish Terrier, though essentially a terrier, cannot be too powerfully put together, and should be from about 9 inches to 12 inches in height.

SPECIAL FAULTS:  MUZZLE—­Either under or over hung.  EYES—­Large or light-coloured.  EARS—­Large, round at the points or drop.  It is also a fault if they are too heavily covered with hair.  LEGS—­Bent, or slightly bent, and out at elbows.  COAT—­Any silkiness, wave or tendency to curl is a serious blemish, as is also an open coat.  SIZE—­Specimens of over 20 lb. should be discouraged.

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There have, of recent years, been many very excellent specimens of the Scottish Terrier bred and exhibited.  Preeminent among them stands Mrs. Hannay’s Ch.  Heworth Rascal, who was a most symmetrical terrier, and probably the nearest approach to perfection in the breed yet seen.  Other very first-class terriers have been the same lady’s Ch.  Gair, Mr. Powlett’s Ch.  Callum Dhu, Mr. McCandlish’s Ems Cosmetic, Mr. Chapman’s Heather Bob and Heather Charm, Mr. Kinnear’s Seafield Rascal, Mr. Wood’s Hyndman Chief, Messrs. Buckley and Mills’s Clonmel Invader, and Mr. Deane Willis’s Ch.  Huntley Daisy and Ch.  Carter Laddie.

It is highly probable that of all the terrier tribe, the “Scottie,” taken as a whole, is the best companion.  He makes a most excellent house-dog, is not too big, does not leave white hairs about all over the place, loves only his master and his master’s household, and is, withal, a capable and reliable guard.  He is, as a rule, a game, attractive terrier, with heaps of brain power, and from a show point of view there is always some recompense in keeping him, as it will be found he breeds true to type and does not beget offspring of all sorts, shapes, and makes.

CHAPTER XXXIX