The Irish Terrier. 213 



I fancy about as difficult a feat as any dog ever 

 attempted and performed successfully. 



Before proceeding to the description and points 

 of the Irish terrier, the following notes by Mr. W. C. 

 Bennett, of Dublin, will perhaps be interesting, 

 although they go over much the same ground as 

 that which we have already traversed. 



" From what I have been able to gather from 

 those who, like myself, are interested in this variety of 

 the canine -race, and from what I can recall of early 

 specimens, I have come to the conclusion that the 

 present show terriers are a more or less ' made up ' 

 breed, though doubtless a variety of terrier existed, 

 resembling the present dogs, somewhat as a half- 

 bred filly resembles a thoroughbred mare. 



" My first recollection of the breed dates back 

 some thirty years, to a brace of bitches owned by a 

 relative residing in Parsonstown, who procured them 

 from a trainer on the Curragh. They were high on 

 the leg, somewhat open in coat, and wheaten in 

 colour, and this latter is, I have always considered, 

 the proper shade for the jacket of any Irish terrier. 

 Most of the earlier specimens exhibited were of this 

 hue, the bright red now, or recently, so fashionable 

 being almost unknown. About the same time, or a 

 few years later perhaps, I made the acquaintance of 

 a rare old stamp of bitch, which was brought from 



