6o THE IRISH TERRIER. 



arched ; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and well 

 ribbed back. 



Hindquarters. — Well under the dog ; should be strong 

 and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, 

 stifles not much bent. 



Stem. — Generally 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 most desirable. 

 Legs moderately long, well set from the shoulders, perfectly 

 straight, with plenty of bone and muscle ; the elbows work- 

 ing 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 out- 

 wards, the legs free of feather, and covered, like the head, 

 with as hard a 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 hindquarters, straight and flat, no shagginess, and free 

 of lock or curl. 



Color. — Should be "whole-colored," the most preferable 

 being bright red ; next wheaten, yellow, and grey, brindle 

 disqualifying. White sometimes appears on chest and feet ; 

 it is more objectionable on the latter than on the chest, as a 

 speck of white on chest is frequently to be seen in all self- 

 colored breeds. 



