Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinehaven 
The YTCA says the Clydesdale or Paisley were used for the length and texture of the coat but how readily available were those dogs to the average breeder? Possibly the Maltese was an easier dog to obtain in order to improve the length of coat.
|
Here's another very good early book.
The Terriers. A History And Description Of The Modern Dogs Of Great Britain And Ireland | by Rawdon B. Lee
What's good about this book is that it's available to read online in its entirety. It doesn't really address this issue but is a good read.
It's open to speculation just who used what dogs in their program at that time. I don't think there's was only one formula used by everyone, but the breed standard brought about an identifiable dog from it all.