THE IRISH TERRIER. 421 



number of these clogs that in point of show qualities will vie as near perfection 

 as most breeds. 



There are certain enthusiasts who have been writing this breed up in 

 fancier papers as the only genuine working Terrier. This, of course, is non- 

 sense. At the same time it is a recognized fact that from their peculiar hardy, 

 active habits they, at least, are deserving of a front rank among working 

 Terriers. The Irish Terrier Club has recently been the means of the breed 

 being brought something more prominently before the public, but some of the 

 prominent members will require to exercise a little more patience and forbear- 

 ance, or the object of the club will be frustrated. 



The Irish Terrier Club's scale of points and description 

 of the true Irish Terrier are here given: 



POSITIVE POINTS. 



Value. Value. 



Head, jaw, teeth, and eyes 15 Hind quarters and stern . 10 



Ears 5 Coat 15 



Legs and feet 10 Color 10 



Neck 5 Size and symmetry 10 



Shoulders and chest 10 



Back and loin 10 Total 100 



NEGATIVE POINTS. 



Value. Value. 



White nails, toes, and feet. . . .minus 10 Coat shaggy, curly or soft, .minus 10 



Much white on chest " 10 Uneven in color " 5 



Ears cropped 5 



Mouth undershot or cankered'. " 10 Total 50 



Disqualifying Points: Nose, cherry or red; brindle color. 



Head. Long; skull flat, and rather narrow between 

 ears, getting slightly narrower toward the eye; free from 

 wrinkle; stop hardly visible, except in profile. The jaw 

 must be strong and muscular, but not too full in the cheek, 

 and of a good punishing length, but not so fine as a White 

 English Terriers. There should be a slight falling away 

 below the eye, so as not to have a Greyhound appearance. 

 Hair on face of same description as on body, but short 

 (about a quarter of an inch long), in appearance almost 

 smooth and straight; a slight beard is the only longish hair 

 (and it is only long in comparison with the rest) that is per- 

 missible, and that is characteristic. 



Teetli. Should be strong and level. 



Lips. Not so tight as a Bull Terrier's, but well-fitting, 

 showing through the hair their black lining. 



Nose. Must be black. 



