Mucky pups

READING your note about the relative ‘muckiness’ of Yorkshire terriers (Town & Country, February 16), we were reminded how the undiscerning use of statistics can convey bias when not provided with appropriate context. The findings of the study may conclude that Yorkies carry the highest ratio of mud to body weight, but it should be noted that, although great in mind and heart, they are small in stature. Thus, the overall dirt they bring home is considerably less than the larger breeds mentioned, such as great danes and St Bernards, meaning these big dogs are, in fact, muckier. Joseph J. Weed, Connecticut, US