The Irish Terrier
It is about thirty years since the Irish terrier first obtained recognition in the Kennel Club Stud Book, and then there were only nineteen entries in the section apportioned for it. When the first show of Irish terriers was held in the Exhibition Palace at Dublin in 1874, they were quite a mixed lot, some with long bodies, short legs, and soft fluffy coats, some brindle, and only a few, of red or sandy colour, showing the character that is recognised in the present day. But shortly after this a good terrier was found in Killiney Boy, from whom have been bred many of the best Irish terriers that are now to be seen. It is generally admitted that he is a plucky dog, ready to kill any kind of vermin, but as a rule too large to go to ground. He is fond of water, and will fetch and carry. For several years after he was first introduced into England it was the fashion to cut his ears, which made him look particularly sharp, but in 1888 a rule was passed by the Kennel Club, acting on the suggestion of the Irish Terrier Club, that no "cropped Irish terrier born after December 31st, 1889, could compete at shows under their rules." In popularity this dog is only second to the fox terrier, and it is very much to the credit of those who have given their attention to the race, that such an uniformity of type has been obtained, considering the short time that he IRISH TERRIER. has been in the hands of breeders. The most desirable colours are bright red, wheaten, or sandy, the first-named for preference. No white on the head or body is admissible, with the exception of a small spot on the chest which is to be seen at times in most self-coloured dogs. His coat is hard and wiry in texture, not so long as to hide the outlines of the body, and straight and flat. The head is long, with flat skull, and but little stop. There should be no fringe on his ears. In shape he resembles the fox terrier, but he is built on larger and more m racing lines. His tail, which is carried gaily, but not over the back, is generally docked. Twenty-four pounds is a good weight for a dog, and twenty-two pounds for a bitch, and any deviation from these figures should be in the lighter direction.