THE IRISH TERRIER. 47 



the Irish terrier has won his way into the hearts of those who own a 

 dog for the house, and to keep down vermin. I am glad to say that the 

 show bench has not spoiled their good qualities ; although many are 

 ' kennel fools,' this is their misfortune, not their fault. I have entered 

 my terriers to all kinds of vermin, except otter, — at that they have not 

 had the chance ; but one small terrier, bred, by a friend, from my dogs, 

 and given to Mr. Harry Clift, when hunting the otter hounds he kept 

 at Newbury, Berks, was one of the gamest terriers he ever o\\ ned, — 

 almost too keen, and quite fearless. 



" I remember turning out a badger to see if ' Bachelor,' when he 

 was under a year old, would seize and hold it. At first, they fought 

 until almost tired out ; then the dog got the badger by the cheek, and 

 there held him until they were both quite exhausted. ... It is in the 

 water that Irish terriers excel, as they take to it as naturally as a duck, 

 and as a rule retrieve well therefrom. I have a bitch that will dive 

 many yards after a rat, or rather run in shallow water, with her head 

 under, trying to grab it. She will also, if about to kill in the river, and 

 the rat dives, dive under and kill ; but often she has to leave go and 

 come up for breath, when the rat sinks. In clear water I have seen her 

 do this, and afterwards get the rat up, so there is no doubt she often 

 kills under water. My terriers sometimes spend a day in digging out a 

 rat. They go in hammer and tongs, and make a great show of having 

 it out at once ; but there is a method in their madness, as they keep an 

 eye on the bolt holes, and, after a vigorous scratch, jump up every now 

 and then to see if the rat is trying to escape at the holes either above 

 ground or those below the water line. . . . 



" I do not know a better companion for the man or woman who 

 only keeps one dog, than the Irish terrier, as he is easily trained, and in 

 the house is most affectionate and thoroughly cleanly. To see him play 

 with children, or guard them, is a pleasure. I have had some scores of 

 Irish terriers, and I never yet saw one turn on or snap at a child. I had 

 six out with me one day, and called at a friend's house where a children's 

 party was being held. The dogs ran on the tennis lawn, and the little 

 ones caught them and rolled them over. One dog, recently bought, had 



