FROM the very commencement of foxhunting in this country, small terriers were kept at each of the various kennels, for the purpose of bolting the fox from his earth when run to ground by the hounds. Originally these dogs were for the most part black and tan in colour; but from this cause they were so frequently mistaken for a fox when drawing a covert, that they were bred white or pied.

The dogs used for bolting foxes by some of the most famous masters of hounds and their families for generations were similar to the old English terrier, and were many of them white, slightly wire-haired, and with no more of the bulldog in them than in the Italian greyhound, that cross making them so savage as to kill rather than bolt the fox; they had plenty of pluck; their noses were sharp, and they were small enough to go to ground wherever a fox or badger could go - indeed, they would "lay on" either, if they could not bolt them, till they were dug out. A terrier was a thoroughbred animal per se, but it could only be called a fox terrier when fit to be used for the bolting of a fox.

About forty years ago, Sir Watkin Wynn and Mr. Foljambe were famous for their breeds of fox terriers. These strains closely resembled each other, and were short-headed, full in the eye, with fair stop, and what would be called well chiselled out under the eye. They were remarkably strong - indeed, rather inclined to be cobby and bull-necked, with very short straight legs. They were particularly wide sprung in their ribs and broad in the brisket, short-backed, light in the hind quarters, and generally with the stern carried too high. Their colour was invariably white, with red ears or patch, and often a spot in the centre between the ears. The coat was very thick, and somewhat coarse. Mr. Ffrance, of Cheshire, had another breed, which were very different, being rather leggy, with fine light oval bone; and they had a sharp foxy face, showing more of the Italian greyhound style, with small eye and fine coat.

After a time the Badworth blood was crossed with the Wynnstay, the result being a coarser dog altogether, with black ears or spot on the head. In those days a black and tan headed fox terrier was never seen. The late Duke of Rutland is said to have used some of his black and tan terriers to cross with the Belvoir terriers, and so produced the coloured head so much coveted in the present day; but the deep red is the original Foljambe and Wynnstay colour. Jack Morgan's dogs had all red ears, till Grove Nettle appeared. The celebrated Old Jock was by a black and tan dog, and he and Old Trap brought out the coloured heads, being very much used to every kind of fox terrier bitch.

During the last ten years the fox terrier has risen into great celebrity; but among the multitude of his admirers and patrons there is a strange difference about his necessary qualifications, as evidenced by the various distinct types which meet with favour at dog shows. It is important, therefore, to recall attention to the purposes for which the dog is intended, and consider how far they can be carried out by the possession or otherwise of certain points in his make; and in discussing the subject I shall confine myself to this feature, and exclude his fighting and killing merits, which among many people seem to be the chief objects of their desire in breeding this dog, though they are a positive disqualification for his intended use in bolting the fox. When brought up and employed solely for fighting and cat slaughter he ceases to be a fox terrier.

With regard to size, I cannot describe what it should be better than in the language of a letter which has recently appeared from that old and thoroughly experienced master of foxhounds, the Hon. Grantley Berkeley, who says : "What is wanted with foxhounds is a terrier so small as to be well able to go to ground, with pluck enough to keep to or bark at a fox, to bolt the fox, or prevent his earthing further." For real work - that is, going to ground to fox or badger - no terrier should be higher than 13in. to 14in. at the shoulder, or heavier than 161b. With the Trelawny hunt small terriers of 101b and 121b. are used, and in the S.D.H. country the late master had them of 121b. and 141b. Mr. A. F. Boss, the present master of the latter hunt, is using a brace by Mr. Murchison's old dog Lancer which are about 141b. each, with plenty of bone and quality, and he is very fond of them, as they work wonderfully well. The chest, also, should not be too wide, as it is impossible for such dogs to go to ground in most rabbit earths, or up drains frequented by foxes, so as to reach the end.

The Wynnstay and Grove terriers of forty years ago did not exceed 151b. to 161b. at the outside, though the Yorkshire dogs were larger; but the former were very plucky, and in those days cherry noses and red eyes were not uncommon.

The question of length of leg depends much upon the configuration of the dog, and it is difficult to lay down any defined " hard and fast" line as to their form per se. For instance, a dog with a deep brisket, sloping shoulders, and elbows well let down, can race away with short forelegs; for the pace comes from the loins and hind legs as the propelling power. Again, a long-backed dog, always remembering he is well loined, so as to give breadth enough, does not require such length of leg as a short-backed dog. The famous bitch Grove Nettle was very long in her back. A dog to race must have freedom of action, and this he gets from length; but the fox terrier must also have good back ribs, as well as muscular development in shoulders and loins, to do his work well underground. The legs should be good round-boned ones, and strong at the pasterns (the part immediately above the toes), to enable them to travel easily over wet or rough ground.

It is not absolutely necessary that the fox terrier should be a fast galloper, and, indeed, it can scarcely be expected that he can keep up with foxhounds, particularly in a long run; and if he could, it would scarcely be fair to send him half exhausted to hard work underground. In some countries they do run with the pack, but in most cases they are either carried on horseback, or are taken in panniers, a boy riding on a pony with them; while sometimes a man is sent out with them, to follow on foot, otherwise, in many instances, their presence when required could not be depended on. A long-legged terrier cannot travel over all descriptions of ground like a short-legged one, nor can he last out a long day so well. The smooth-coated dog is generally preferred to the wire-coated fox terrier; but he should be stout in constitution, so as to withstand wet, cold, or fatigue; and he must have courage enough to face punishment, without showing unnecessary irritation.