What tragedy spurred Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm to breed only white dogs?
Answer
Dark-colored terriers were mistaken for foxes and shot accidentally
The deliberate selection for the pure white coat, a defining feature of the modern Westie, arose from a specific, unfortunate hunting incident attributed to Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm. During a hunt, several of his dark-colored terriers were accidentally shot by members of his own hunting party because the dogs were visually confused with their intended quarry, the fox. This tragedy directly motivated Colonel Malcolm to commit to breeding only white dogs, ensuring that his working terriers could be easily seen and distinguished in the field.
Related Questions
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