THE IRISH TERRIER. 423 



so long as to hide the outlines of the body, particularly in 

 the hind quarters, straight and flat, no shagginess, and free 

 of lock or curl. 



Color. Should be "whole colored," the most preferable 

 being bright red; next wheaten, yellow, and gray brindle 

 disqualifying. White sometimes appears on chest and 

 feet; it is more objectionable on the latter than on the 

 chest, as a speck of white on chest is frequently to be seen 

 in all self-colored breeds. 



Size and symmetry. Weight in show condition, from 

 sixteen pounds to twenty-four pounds say sixteen pounds 

 to twenty- two pounds for bitches and eighteen pounds to 

 twenty-four pounds for dogs. The most desirable weight is 

 twenty-two pounds or under, which is a nice, stylish, and 

 useful size. The dog must present an active, lively, lithe, 

 and wiry appearance; lots of substance, at the same time 

 free of clumsiness, as speed and endurance, as well as 

 power, are very essential. They must be neither "cloddy" 

 nor "cobby," but should be framed on the "lines of 

 speed," showing a graceful "racing outline." 



Temperament. Dogs that are very game are usually 

 surly or snappish. The Irish Terrier, as a breed, is an 

 exception, being remarkably good-tempered notably so 

 with mankind; it being admitted, however, that he is per- 

 haps a little too ready to resent interference on the part of 

 other dogs. There is a heedless, reckless pluck about the 

 Irish Terrier which is characteristic, and coupled with the 

 headlong dash, blind to all consequences, with which he 

 rushes at his adversary, has earned for the breed the proud 

 epithet of "the dare-devils." When "off duty" they 

 are characterized by a quiet, caress-inviting appearance; and 

 when one sees them endearingly, timidly pushing their 

 heads into their master's hands, it is difficult to realize that 

 on occasion, at the "set on," they can prove they have the 

 courage of a lion, and will fight on to the last breath in 

 their bodies. They develop an extraordinary devotion to, 

 and have been known to track their masters almost incred- 

 ible distances. 



