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Clydesdale Terrier

Interim

This breed, originally exhibited as Skye Terriers, are simply the more silky-haired specimens of this variety. Skye Terrier enthusiasts have always regarded them as bad-coated specimens, more fitted for the drawing-room than the cairns, just as Fox Terrier experts would regard a soft-coated WireHaired as a bad Fox Terrier. The silky-coated dog, however, has his devotees, and along in the eighties a division was made in the Skye Terrier classes, the hard-coated, long and low variety being accorded, by weight of public opinion, the title of Skye Terrier, to which their character, working fitness, and tradition gave them an irresistible claim,, while the leggier and more silky-coated specimens were given the name of Clydesdale or Paisley Terriers. Since then the Clydesdale fanciers have developed the differences in the two dogs and by selection have cultivated the silkiness and lighter colors of the coat, which they have made a sine qua non of the variety. In all other essentials the character and conformation of the two varieties are practically one and the same. The coat of the Clydesdale should be long, straight, and silky; in both texture, color, and quality it should resemble that of the best Yorkshire Terriers, which has been largely used in its manufacture. The chief points to look for in the selection of Clydesdale Terrier puppies are almost identical with those of Skye Terriers. The following is the standard description and code of points formulated by the Skye and Clydesdale Terrier Club, which is purely a Scottish combination, from which it will be seen that color and coat absorb one-half of thecomplement of 100 points.

GENERAL APPEARANCE A long, low, level dog with heavily-fringed, erect ears and a long coat like the finest silk or spun glass, which hangs quite straight and evenly down each side, a parting extending from the nose to the root of the tail.

HEAD *Fairly long, skull flat and very narrow between the ears, gradually widening toward the eyes and tapering very slightly to the nose, which must be black. The jaws strong and the teeth level.

EYES * Medium in size, dark in color; not prominent, but having a sharp, Terrier-like expression. Eyelids black.

EARS * Small, set very high on the top of the head, carried perfectly erect, and covered with long, silky hair, hanging in a heavy fringe down the sides of the head.

BODY Long, deep in chest, well ribbed up, the back being perfectly level.

TAIL * Perfectly straight, carried almost level with the back, and heavily feathered.

LEGS * As short and straight as possible, well set under the body, and entirely covered with silky hair. Feet round and cat-like.

COAT * As long and straight as possible, free from all trace of curl or waviness; very glossy and silky in texture, with an entire absence of undercoat

COLOR A level bright steel-blue extending from the back of the head to the root of the tail, and on no account intermingled with any fawn, light, or dark hairs. The head, legs, and feet should be a clear, bright golden tan, free from grey, sooty, or dark hairs. The tail should be very dark-blue or black.

SCALE OF POINTS * Texture of coat, 25; color, 25; head, 10; ears, 10; tail, 10; body, 10; legs and feet, 10. Total, 100.

The Clydesdale may be described as an anomaly. He stands as it were upon a pedestal of his own; and unlike other Scotch terriers he is classified as non-sporting. Perhaps his marvellously fine and silky coat precludes him from the rough work of hunting after vermin, though it is certain his game-like instincts would naturally lead him to do so. Of all the Scottish dogs he is perhaps the smallest; his weight seldom exceeding 18 lb. He is thus described by the Skye Terrier Club of Scotland.

The Clydesdale Terrier is rare, at any rate as regards the show bench; there are never more than two or three at most exhibited south of the Tweed, even when classes are provided at the big shows and championships offered, thus indicating that the breed is not a popular one; and amongst those kennels who do show there exists at the present time but one dog who can lay claim to the title of champion; this unique specimen is the property of Sir Claud Alexander, Bart., of Ballochmyle, and is known under the name of Wee Wattie. There are of course several fanciers in Scotland, among whom may be mentioned Mr. G. Shaw, of Glasgow, who is the owner of several fine examples of the breed, including beautiful San Toy and the equally beautiful Mozart

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.