Po/.vrs OF THE IRISH TERRIER. 131 



" Teeth. Should be strong and level. 



" Lips. Not so tight as a bull-terrier's, but well-fitting, showing through hair their black lining. 



" Nose. Must be black. 



" Eyes. A dark hazel colour, small, not prominent, and full of life, fire, and intelligence. 



" Ears. Small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well up on the head, and dropping 

 forward closely to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and the hair thereon shorter and 

 generally darker in colour than the body. Until some decided action be taken against it, we are 

 afraid cropping will prevail, for it undoubtedly imparts a smart appearance to a dog, thus giving it 

 an unfair and unnatural advantage over an uncropped dog. In the days when Irish Terriers were 

 used as fighting dogs, it was reasonable and advisable to crop them ; but now that they are used 

 only as working Terriers, we should not deprive them of the protection nature has given them, 

 and which they must so sorely stand in need of when under earth or in the water. A cropped 

 dog should not be qualified to score any points for ears. Good ears must be bred for. 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 that is characteristic. 



"Neck. Should be of a fair length, and gradually widening towards the shoulders, well 

 carried, and free of throatiness. 



" Shoulders and Chest. Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into the back ; the 

 chest deep and muscular, but neither full nor wide. 



"Back and Loin. Body moderately long; back should be strong and straight, with no 

 appearance of slackness behind the shoulders ; the loin broad and powerful, and slightly arched, 

 ribs well sprung, and well ribbed back. 



" The Hind Quarters. Well under the dog ; should be strong and muscular, the thighs 

 powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles not much bent. 



" Stern. Invariably docked ; should be free of fringe or feather, set on pretty high, carried 

 gaily, but not over the back, or curled. 



"Feet and Legs. Feet should be strong, tolerably round, and moderately small; toes 

 arched, and neither turned out nor in ; black toe-nails are preferable and 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 legs should be moved straight forward when travelling ; the stifles not turned 

 outwards, the legs free of feather, and covered, like the head, with a hard texture of coat as 

 body, but not so long. 



" Coat. Hard and wiry, free of softness or silkiness, not so long as to hide the outlines of 

 the body, particularly in the hind quarters, straight and flat, no shagginess, and free of lock 

 or curl. 



" Colour. Must be ' whole-coloured,' the most preferable being bright red, next yellow, 

 wheaten, and grey. White objectionable. It often appears on chest and feet ; it is more 

 objectionable on the latter than on chest, as a speck of white on chest is frequently to be seen 

 in all self-coloured breeds. 



"Size and Symmetry. Weight in show condition, from 16 to 24 Ibs. say 16 to 22 for bitches 

 and 1 8 to 24 for dogs. The most desirable weight is 22 Ibs. or under, which is a nice stylish 

 and useful size. The dog must present a gay, lively, and active appearance ; lots of substance, 

 at same time free of clumsiness, as speed and endurance, as well as power, are very essential. 

 There must be a 'racing build' about the Irish Terrier. 



