370 



THE NEW BOOK OF THE DOG. 



shade between the two extremes is now 

 generally preferred. As to size, it should 

 be about midway between that of the Aire- 

 dale and the Fox-terrier, represented by a 

 weight of from 22 to 27 lb. 



The two breeds just mentioned are, as 

 a rule, superior to the Irish Terrier in front, 



"**?r/ 



MR. s, WILSONS CH. BOLTON WOODS MIXER. 



WINNER OF TWO THOUSAND PRIZES. 



legs, and feet, but in the direction of these 

 points great improvements have recently 

 been observable. The heads of our Irish 

 Terriers have also been brought nearer to 

 a level of perfection, chiselled to the desired 

 degree of leanness, with the determined 

 expression so characteristic of the breed, 

 and with the length, squareness, and strength 

 of muzzle which formerly were so difficult 

 to iind. This squareness of head and jaw 

 is an important point to be considered wlien 

 choosing an Irish Terrier. In the best 

 specimens of the breed, the muzzle, skull, 

 and neck, when seen in profile, e.xacth' 

 fit within an imaginary rectangular frame, 

 thus : — 



Opinions differ in regard to slight 

 details of this terrier's conformation, but 



the official description, issued by the 

 Irish Terrier Club, supplies a guide upon 

 which the uncertain novice may implicitly 

 depend : — 



1. Head. — Long ; skull flat, and rather narrow 

 between ears, getting slightly narrower towards 

 the eye ; free from wrinkles ; stop hardly visible 

 except in profile. The jaw must be strong and 

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

 good punishing length. There should be a slight 

 falling away below the eye, so as not to have a 

 Greyhound appearance. Hair on face of same 

 description as on body, but short {about a quarter 

 of an inch long), in appearance almost smooth and 

 straight ; a slight beard is the only longish hair 

 (and it is only long in comparison with the rest) 

 that is permissible, and this is characteristic. 



2. Teeth. — Should be strong and level, 



3. Lips. — Not so tight as a Bull-Terrier's, but 

 well-fitting, showing through the hair their black 

 lining. 



4. Nose. — Must be black. 



5. Eyes. — .\ dark hazel colour, small, not 

 prominent, and full of life, fire, and intelligence. 



6. Ears. — Small and V-shaped, of moderate 

 thickness, set well on the head, and dropping for- 

 ward closely to the cheek. The ear must be free 

 of fringe, and the hair thereon shorter and darker 

 in colour than the body. 



7. Neck, — Should be of a fair length, and 

 gradually widening towards the shoulders, well 

 carried, and free of throatiness. There is generally 

 a slight sort of frill visible at each side of the neck, 

 running nearly to the corner of the ear. 



8. Shoulders and Chest. — Shoulders must be 

 fine, long, and sloping well into the back ; the 

 chest deep and muscular, but neither full nor 

 wide. 



9. Back and Loin. — Body moderately long ; 

 back should be strong and straight, with no appear- 

 ance of slackness behind the shoulders ; the loin 

 broad and powerful, and slightly arched ; ribs 

 fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and well 

 ribbed back. 



10. Hindquarters, — Should be strong and mus- 

 cular, thighs powerful, hocks near ground, stifles 

 moderately bent. 



11. Stern, — Generally docked ; should be free 

 of fringe or feather, but well covered with rough 

 hair, set on pretty high, carried gaily, but not over 

 the back or curled. 



12. Feet and Legs. — Feet should be strong, 

 tolerably round, and moderately small ; toes 

 arched, and neither turned out nor in : black toe 

 nails most desirable. Legs moderately long, well 

 set from the shoulders, perfectly straight, with 

 plenty of bone and muscle ; the elbows working 

 freely clear of the sides : pasterns short and 

 straight, hardly noticeable. Both fore and hind 



