THE TERRIER (IRISH).
W. J. Comstock’s, Providence, R. I.
Dunmurry.
Origin.—Mr. George R. Krehl, editor of the London (England) “Stockkeeper” and English vice-president of the Irish Terrier Club, says this is a true and distinct breed, indigenous to Ireland, and that no man can trace its origin, which is lost in antiquity.
Uses.—Rabbiting, and as a vermin-dog.
[*] Scale of Points, Etc.
| Value. | |
|---|---|
| Head, jaws, teeth, and eyes | 15 |
| Ears | 5 |
| Legs and feet | 10 |
| Neck | 5 |
| Shoulders and chest | 10 |
| Back and loins | 10 |
| Hind quarters and stern | 10 |
| Coat | 15 |
| Color | 10 |
| Size and symmetry | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
| Negative Points. | |
| White nails, toes, and feet | 10 |
| Much white on chest | 10 |
| Ears cropped | 5 |
| Mouth undershot | 10 |
| Coat shaggy or curly | 10 |
| Uneven in color | 5 |
| Total | 50 |
Head.—Long; skull flat, rather narrow between ears, free from wrinkle; stop hardly visible. Jaws strong, muscular, but not too full in cheek, and of good punishing length. There should be a slight falling away below the eye, so as not to have a greyhound appearance. Hair on face same description as on body: short (about ¼ inch long), almost smooth and straight; a slight beard is permissible, and that is characteristic. Teeth strong and level. Lips not so tight as a bull-terrier’s, but well fitting. Nose black. Eyes dark hazel, small, not prominent, full of life, fire, and intelligence. Ears, when uncut, small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well up, dropping forward close to cheek, free from fringe, and hair thereon shorter and generally darker in color than the body.
Neck.—Fair length, gradually widening toward shoulders, free from throatiness, with a slight sort of frill at each side of neck, running nearly to corner of ear, which is characteristic.
Shoulders and Chest.—Shoulders must be fine, long, sloping; chest deep, muscular, but neither full nor wide.
Back and Loins.—Body moderately long; back strong, straight, with no appearance of slackness; loins broad, powerful, slightly arched; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round.
Hind Quarters.—Well under the dog, strong, muscular; thighs powerful; hocks near the ground; stifles not much bent.
Stern.—Generally docked, free from fringe or feather; set on pretty high; carried gaily, but not over back, nor curled.
Feet and Legs.—Feet strong, tolerably round, moderately small; toes arched, neither turned out nor in; black toe-nails. Legs moderately long, well set on, perfectly straight, plenty of bone and muscle; pasterns short and straight; fore and hind legs moving straight forward when traveling; stifles not turned outward; legs free of feather, and covered with hair as on head.
Coat.—Hard, wiry, not soft nor silky, not so long as to hide outlines of body; straight, flat, no shagginess, no lock nor curl.
Color.—“Whole-colored,” the most preferable being bright red, wheaten, yellow, and gray; brindle disqualifying. White sometimes appears on chest and feet; more objectionable on the latter.
Symmetry.—The dog must present an active, lively, lithe, and wiry appearance; lots of substance, free of clumsiness, and framed on the “lines of speed.”
Temperament.—The Irish terrier, as a breed, is remarkably good-tempered, notably so with mankind, it being admitted, however, that it is perhaps a little too ready to resent interference on part of other dogs, hence called “daredevils.”
Weight.—Sixteen to twenty-four pounds.
Disqualifications.—Nose cherry or red; brindle color.