CHAPTER III. 



Characteristics of the Irish Terrier. 



In " Dogs of the British Islands," by '^ Stonehenge," 

 Mr. George R. Krehl writes as follows : 



" If I were asked to name the most prominent characteristics in 

 the temperament of the Irish terrier, I should reply, ' Courage and good 

 temper.'' Their courage is quite national in its quality, being of that 

 dashing, reckless, ' dare-devil ' description that is associated with the 

 human inhabitants of their native country. The Irish terrier fears 

 nothing that ever came on four legs with a furry skin. They have no 

 caution in their gameness, but go straight at their enemy with a heedless 

 pluck utterly regardless of consequences. They do not always conquer, 

 but they do or die unless pulled off. It would occupy too much space 

 to relate a few of the many instances of their courage publicly recorded. 

 . . . Their other quality is quite as bright a side to their character. 

 Their good temper is remarkable in so game a terrier. Terrier men will 

 bear me out that a quarrelsome dog is seldom truly game. I question 

 whether any of my colleagues in the Irish Terrier Club can give an 

 instance of one of the breed biting a human being. They are, there- 

 fore, peculiarly fitted for house dogs, where there are women and chil- 

 dren. They make the most admirable companions, — faithful, intelligent, 

 and always full of high spirits. Whether accompanying their master 

 out walking, following a trap or bicycle, their never-tiring liveliness will 

 amuse their master and relieve his loneliness. . . . They are a peculiarly 

 hardy breed, and seldom succumb to the many ills that puppyhood is heir 

 to. Shows have done much for their outward appearance, and without 

 that softening effect on temperament which usually follows in its wake." 



Regarding the characteristics of the Irish terrier, we 

 quote Mr. Barnett (in Lee's book) : 



" Although so popular on the show bench, it is as a companion that 



