54 THE IRISH TERRIER. 



leaned down her shoulder against the hole, and let them out one by one, 

 until she had killed eighteen rats. That Irish terriers kill neatly I can- 

 not say; they kill not wisely, but too well. Vour little black-and-tan 

 shakes the life out of the rat; but the Irish terrier's jaw is so powerful 

 he does not need to shake, but crunches them into purgatory. They 

 always impress me with the idea that the game is not big enough for 

 them, and they put too much energy in it." 



Mr. Lee states that there exists considerable difference of 

 opinion regarding the description of the Irish terrier, as issued 

 by the Irish Terrier Club, it evidently being modeled on that 

 of the fox-terrier ; and, in his book, Mr. Lee publishes a 

 description, compiled by an '• up-to-date " admirer and suc- 

 cessful breeder of the variety, which will give an idea of the 

 " points " of an Irish terrier. Undoubtedly the ''Club descrip- 

 tion " has given rise to a considerable amount of controversy ; 

 but it was drawn up by the leading admirers of the Irish 

 terriers a few years ago, and if fault may be found with one 

 or two of the items, such are of little importance so far as the 

 general delineation of the dog is concerned. Nevertheless, it 

 will be interesting to hear both sides, and we therefore give 

 both. * • 



Description as given in Mr. Lee's book : 



Head. — Long and flat, not pinched or lumpy, and not too 

 full in the cheek ; showing but a very slight stop in profile. 

 Jaw strong, of a punishing length, and of good depth. A 

 thin, weak jaw is objectionable, as is a short, thick head. 



Teeth. — Level, white, and sound ; both over or undershot 

 objectionable and disqualifying. 



Nose. — Black. 



Eyes. — Brown, dark hazel, or black ; the latter, however, 



