Logo
Prev
Bookmark
Rotate
Print
Next
Contents
All Pages
Related Articles
Browse Issues
Help
Search
Home
'
National Geographic : 1919 Mar
Contents
THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE DOBERMANN PINSCHER (For illustration,see page 243) Perhaps the finest terrier with black-and-tan coloring is the Dobermann Pinscher, a sort of glorified Manchester terrier, which has been developed in Germany within the last 60 years. He is about the height and weight of an Aire dale, but perhaps by reason of his smooth coat and the fact that his tail is docked very short, he appears taller and slimmer than the British dog. He has a splendid carriage and an air of dignity and distinction. He is unusually intelli gent, and to this fact may be attributed his phenomenal success as a police dog. His de lightful personality is rapidly bringing him into favor with Americans looking for a dog of good size that doesn't get in one's way. This big German derivative of the black-and tan, or Manchester terrier, might best be de scribed as a large, strong bull terrier, with the strict black-and-tan coat, although one some times sees him in solid black, brown, or mole color "blue." White should never be present in a good Dobermann, nor other parti-color than black or tan. Like most of the dogs popular with the Ger mans, this is best handled with a firm "and un compromising domination. He is a willing and effective fighter, and, true to his terrier blood, is a relentless enemy to all ground vermin, such as marmots, hares, and badgers. Decidedly a "one-man" dog, he does not readily make friends nor welcome advances of a friendly nature. He is faithful and loyal to "the hand that feeds him," however, and is justly popular with those who own him. He is certainly one of the handsomest of the smooth dogs, being glossy of coat, trim, and straight, and strong of leg and body, and bright and keen of eye, lacking entirely the rather piggy look of the bull terrier with which he has been compared. He is rather larger than the bull terrier, however. He has never been exten sively bred in this country. BOSTON TERRIER (For illustration,see page 243) The Boston terrier is an American-made ani mal, whose bull and terrier ancestors came from England between 40 and 50 years ago. Many of them settled in Boston, where they became so refined that in a few generations much of the bulldog was bred out of them. When, about 1891, their owners formed the American Bull Terrier Club of Boston and ap plied to the American Kennel Club for the reg istration of the breed, the application was re fused on the ground that the dogs were no longer "bull" terriers. It was suggested that the breed be named simply "Boston terrier." This suggestion was accepted, the club changed its name to the Bos ton Terrier Club, and the breed received full recognition in 1893. It is said to be the most scrupulously courteous dog having any bulldog blood in his veins, and is generally recognized as the most conservative terrier in the world. The Boston terrier is not as large as the bull terrier, weighing from 15 to 27 pounds, and be ing judged in three classes, according to weight. The most popular "middleweight" class is from 17 to 22 pounds. The ideal markings are brin dle (dark preferred, some are almost black), with white muzzle, blaze, neck all round, chest and all or part of fore legs and hind legs below hocks. The coat is short, smooth, and bright. The ears are commonly trimmed. The deformities of the bulldog are here hap pily lacking, and we have a bright, playful, courageous little dog that stands well over (not hangs between) his legs, which, while well apart, are not bowed nor bandied, but strong, fairly heavy in bone, and straight. The stifle, however, is well bent. He is all in all a very compact little dog. The tail, "screw" or straight, must be carried low. The face is intelligent, rather square, the nose, while short, is not pushed in, and the jaws are even, broad, and fairly deep. He is in every sense a good practical dog. FOX TERRIER (For illustration,see page 247) Among the best known of all dogs is that buoyant, irrepressible, and violently affection ate creature known as a fox terrier. Some how he is always associated in many minds with sunshine and dancing, and when properly cared for and kindly treated he is a joyous thing. Like other dogs, when ill treated or badly cared for, he can degenerate into anything. Often, from overfeeding and insufficient exer cise, he becomes fat, and a fat, wheezy dog, except an aged and decrepit one, is a disgust ing object to any real dog lover. There are two varieties of fox terrier smooth-coated and wire-haired-and which is the better is a matter of taste. It is true the smooth-coated dog has always been the more popular, but apparently for the sole reason that his coat is smooth; in other respects the dogs are almost identical. When properly reared and trained they are as courageous as they are cheerful, which leaves little to be said for their courage. The smooth fox terrier is a sprightly, clean cut little dog of from 12 to 20 pounds weight, with a short compact body and straight, strong legs that never tire or even show signs of fatigue. His keen, rather pointed nose should taper smoothly to the head, with just a little "stop," and a slight break in the line of the nose and forehead. The alert expression is due partly to the bright, rather deep-set eyes and partly to the pointed, semi-erect ears, which turn inquisitively forward. The jaws, while fine and fox-like, are deep enough to be of good service, and as a vermin dog the fox terrier has no superiors in courage and will ingness to face the music. 240
Links
Archive
1919 Apr
1919 Feb
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page