420 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



gence, and gameness, as well as general appear,: nee, are second to no breed of 

 Terriers in the kingdom. 



As a breed, they are peculiarly adapted to the country, being particularly 

 hardy, and able to bear any amount of wet, cold, and hardship without show- 

 ing the slightest symptoms of fatigue. Their coat also being a hard and wiry 

 one, they can hunt the thickest gorse or furze cover without the slightest 

 inconvenience. As for the capabilities of these dogs for taking the water, and 

 hunting in it as well as on land, I may mention, as one instance, that a gentle- 

 man in the adjoining County of Tipperary keeps a pack of these Terriers, and 

 has done so for years, with which he will hunt otters as successfully as anyone 

 can with any pack of pure Otter Hounds. 



Within the last few years, and since the introduction of dog shows into 

 Ireland, a far greater interest than heretofore has been taken in this breed, 



IRISH TERRIER MARS. 

 Owned by W. J. Comstock, 216 Canal street, Providence, R. I. 



and consequently a greater amount of care is evinced now in selecting the 

 proper specimens to breed from ; so that in a short time we may look forward 

 to see the Irish Terrier just as fashionable and as much sought for in England 

 as the English Fox Terrier is at present. 



Mr. Jamison says : 



The Irish Terrier, as his name denotes, is the representative of the Emerald 

 Isle, and especially suitable for his native damp country, being able to stand 

 much more wet, cold, and fatigue than most other Terriers. The coat is so 

 hard and flat on the body that water can not penetrate it, and not being too 

 long, does not hinder the dog in cover-work. This breed is more used as 

 vermin destroyers than for any other purpose, which principally accounts for 

 breeding for size being teglected. However, within the last fifteen years the 

 breed has been much closer looked after, and at the present time, there are a 



