THE IRISH TERRIER 163 



and muscle. The coat is hard and wiry, free from 

 softness, straight and flat, with no shagginess. 



In general appearance the dog should be active, 

 lithe, and wiry, with lots of substance, but free from 

 clumsiness. He should be neither cloddy nor cobby, 

 but framed on the lines of speed. Concerning 

 temperament, the Irish Terrier, Club standard says : 

 "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 characterised by a quiet, 

 caressing, inviting appearance, and when one sees 

 them endearingly, timidly pushing their heads into 

 their master's hands, it is difficult to realise that 

 on occasions at the set-on they can prove that they 

 have the courage of a lion, and will fight until the 

 last breath in their bodies. They develop an extra- 

 ordinary devotion for their masters, and have been 

 known to track them almost incredible distances. Ji 



