162 THE IRISH TERRIER 



at any of the leading shows. The most desirable 

 weight is 24 Ib. for a dog and 22 Ib. for a bitch, 

 but I imagine that this is often exceeded by show 

 specimens. The colour most preferred is bright red, 

 red, wheaten, or yellow-red. White is not liked on 

 the chest or feet, but it is less objectionable on the 

 former. The head is long, with a flat skull, rather 

 narrow between the ears, and getting slightly 

 narrower; still towards the eye. The stop is hardly 

 visible except in profile. The jaw must be strong 

 and muscular, not too full in the cheek, but of a 

 good punishing length. The teeth, of course, should 

 be strong and level. Eyes a dark hazel colour, small, 

 not prominent, and full of life, fire, and intelligence. 

 The ears small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, 

 set well on the head, and dropping forward closely 

 to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and 

 the hair thereon shorter and darker in colour than the 

 body. The neck should be of a fair length and 

 gradually widening towards the shoulders, well 

 carried, an'd free from throatiness. Shoulders must 

 be fine, long, and sloping well into the back^ the 

 chest must be deep and muscular, but neither full 

 nor wide$ the back, moderately long, should be 

 strong and straight, with no slackness behind the 

 shoulders"; the loin broad and powerful, and slightly 

 arched;; ribs fairly strong, rather deep than round, 

 and well ribbed back. The hindquarters should be 

 strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near 

 the ground, stifles moderately bent. The stern should 

 be carried gaily, and not over, the back. The feet 

 should be strong, tolerably round, and moderately 

 small. Legs moderately long, well set from the 

 shoulders, aiid perfectly straight, with plenty of bone 



