The New York herald., 1921-02-27
BULL TERRIER IS
REGAINING FAVOR
Breed Which Slumped for a
, While Now Attracting
Fanciers.
ny FRANK II. DOLE.

1t is a well established axiom that no
sport fluctuates more with the flight of
time than dog breeding and dog fancy
ing, and glance backward at the cycle
covered by the Westminster Kennel Club
Show will illustrate the point. Breeds
have come to the front to be the rage
for a while only to fade away again, and
men and women have wondered why
they ever were 80 taken with some
classes OF dogs. I could go down the
line and write columns about the va
rieties that have sprung into popularity
only to sink into insignificance within
couple of years. On the other hand, there
are some few breeds which have hung on
and still charm their admirers
One of these In particular Is the bull
terrier. a few years ago one Of the most
highly priced breeds in this country and
which still keeps firm grip on some
genuine fanciers. 1t is true the bull ter
rier Is not now as much fancied as he
was, but In my rambles around this year
to all the leading dog shows of the East
l find that the breed is coming back and
while 1t may not command again the
patronage as Of yore there is q turn of
the tide toward the bull terrier and 1t
will show itself in the near future.
1t Is only the case of a good type
once remarked, there is mo better dog
no firmer friend" and I would go fur
ther and place him above all as the gen.
tleman of dogdom. 1t may be true that
there Is slight blot on his crest on ac-
count of his tendency to scrap, which is
natural since his progenitors were the
bulldog and the terrier. But 1t Is as true
of the bull terrier as 1t is of the human
being that he will be what you make
him. If properly handled he will outdo
the poodle In the way Of learning tricks,
and he will fetch and carry better than
the Newfoundland. He will even take to
the water with the Airedale, though on
account of his coat he may not be able
to remain Immersed as long, and he will
outdo any sort Of terrier at rafting or
hunting, and he will fight It'll all is blue
around him." For intelligence, good
temper and obedience, united to game
ness. the bull terrier surpasses any breed
of dog in the world.
One OF the most prominent admirers
Of the bull terrier and the man to take
up the cudgel in his behalf Is william
Faversham, the eminent actor. In a
letter to me he says: II am appealing
to you because you are an old bull ter
rier man and one of the first to make
the breed famous and popular in this
y.
man and athlete of the dog world, and
is more capable of being trained for
,ountry and city life than any other of
the larger terrier breeds. He is a su-
rerfine sporting dog If properly trained.
have used them for coon. badger,
woodchuck, rabbit and for big game
IN the West, and found them to be all
that might be desired in highly in
stinctive member Of the canine race.
Only very lately / saw one point and re-
trieve a pheasant. and he did 1t as well
as the most highly schooled setter. The
lightweights are better for the fox when
he is grounded. and even much ahead OF
all other terriers. Something should be
done to help the bull terrier to that po-
sition which he held years ago.
First OF all the breeders must be
taught, and especially the older breed
ers who know a good 'un' should be
encouraged. For several years past the
dog show committee has permitted
In the judging OF the wirehaired fox
strength of limb and certain color Of
eyes to be given the gate In their
stead the officials have catered to the
light, opossum faces. apparently inbred.
powdered and perfumed coats, and with
attendants vainly trying to bring out
what was not in these strictly show speci-
mems. This year at Madison Square
Garden they were even judged in the
dark. and that Is no way to judge a
bull terrier.
"All this discourage5 the real breeder
mean the breeder who cares to foster
the real characteristics of this valuable
breed. 1t was easy for Haymarket
Faultless to top the list, he is one Of
the greatest bull terriers ever shown,
but an equally good dog with stronger
hind quarters would beat him. Breeders
won't exhibit their dogs in competition
while the present conditions exist and
we are losing opportunities OF finding
some good new stock