CHAPTER XL 

 THE IRISH TERRIER 



IT is certain that during the past two decades no breed of dog has 

 attained greater popularity than the Irish Terrier, and a visit to 

 any of our leading shows will be convincing proof of this, for in 

 point of number he only plays second fiddle to his white relation 

 the Fox-terrier, which has been a general favourite in England 

 for generations past. The reason is not far to seek. Is it not 

 a firm of soap-makers who say of their soap, " Once used, always 

 used " ? Surely it would be difficult to find more appropriate words 

 for the Irish Terrier. His genial disposition, all round merit for 

 sport, racy outline, eyes that are teeming with kindness and in- 

 telligence peeping from underneath his shaggy old eyebrows, and 

 a pin-wire, rusty horseshoe-coloured jacket that covers one of the 

 biggest hearts that ever beat in a canine body, must command 

 admiration from all who love a truly good, high-couraged Terrier. 



It is a circumstance much to be regretted that the true origin 

 of this grand Terrier has never come to light, and at this distant 

 date in all probability it never will. We can therefore only accept 

 the gleanings of those who have used their best efforts to solve 

 the problem. 



Mr. G. R. Krehl, the English Vice-President of the Irish Terrier 

 Club, who has done so much this side of St. George's Channel 

 to popularise Irish Terriers, in writing for Mr. Vero Shaw's book 

 thus speaks of the breed : 



"The Irish Terrier is a true and distinct breed indigenous 

 to Ireland, and no man can trace its origin, which is lost in 

 antiquity. Mr. Ridgway, of Waterford, whose name is familiar 

 in Irish Terrier circles from having drawn up the first code of 

 points, states that they have been known to Ireland as long as 

 that country has been an island, added to which there is the fact 

 that there exist old manuscripts in Irish mentioning the breed 

 at a very remote period. In old pictures representing scenes 

 of Irish life an Irish Terrier or two are often to be descried. 



