THE IRISH TERRIER 471 



had this peculiarity Tanner, Sporter, Banshee, Belle, etc. This is 

 certainly characteristic of the breed, and one not infrequently hears 

 from those not thoroughly acquainted with it the remark, Are they 

 shy ? As a breed the Irish Terrier is not shy he is naturally 

 reticent, and to demonstrate this just show one a rat in a cage, and 

 you will see him immediately stiffen, his tail assume a perpendicular 

 position, his eyes flash, and woe-betide the rodent when he emerges 

 from captivity. No, there is nothing shy about the Irish Terrier ; 

 only warm his blood to the proper temperature, and fear or timidity 

 is absolutely unknown to him* 



Those who have had years of experience with this breed need 

 no teaching, but a few hints on breeding, general management, etc., 

 may be of use to the less initiated. Irish Terriers are so hardy in 

 constitution that no special care is required in breeding, such as 

 one would have to give to Yorkshire Terriers, Black-and-tans, Toy 

 Spaniels, and other tender varieties. Good quarters, plenty of 

 outdoor exercise, and a good wholesome diet of cooked food are 

 the principal requirements to ensure getting healthy stock. 



The modus operandi of a novice is too frequently to purchase 

 from some unscrupulous person a snipy-faced, weedy little bitch, or 

 a big, ungainly, flaxen-coated specimen of very doubtful blood, that 

 bears no affinity to an Irish Terrier, except perhaps in colour, and 

 then plank down his money for the service of a stud dog of totally 

 different outline and character, in the full expectation that the 

 mating will strike the happy medium in the size and quality of the 

 progeny, simply because the sire is a good dog. This is diametric- 

 ally opposed to the laws of practical breeding, and only brings sad 

 disappointment to the experimenter, wastes his time and money, 

 and stocks the country with mongrels that should never see the 

 light of day. 



Beginners in the Fancy would act much more wisely by going 

 to a breeder of repute, and purchase of him a bitch of pure blood, 

 for as the old axiom says, " Blood will tell." This need not be 

 an expensive deal, for most breeders occasionally have surplus 

 stock of this sex that they are glad to dispose of at a moderate 

 price, when not quite good enough for the show-bench. Next a 

 stud dog should be selected that excels and whose ancestors have 

 excelled in the qualities in which the bitch is deficient, and if 

 the advice of a practical man can be obtained to assist in the 

 selection, so much the better. March is the best month in the 

 year to breed puppies, so that they can have at least six months to 

 grow before the cold weather sets in. Of course they may be bred 

 at other times, but autumn-bred puppies seldom do so well as those 

 bred in the spring. Care should be taken in the early stage of 

 gestation to see that the bitch is thoroughly clear of internal 

 parasites ; if this is not done, in all probability they will be transmitted 



