2 3 o DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



Statistics would probably show that in numbers the Fox- 

 terrier justifies the reputation of being a more popular breed, 

 and the Scottish Terrier is no doubt a formidable competitor 

 for public esteem. It is safe, however, to say that the Irish 

 Terrier shares with these the distinction of being one of the 

 three most popular terriers in the British Isles. 



This fact taken into consideration, it is interesting to reflect 

 that thirty years ago the " Dare-Devil " was virtually unknown 

 in England. Idstone, in his book on dogs, published in 1872 

 did not give a word of mention to the breed, and dog shows 

 had been instituted sixteen years before a class was opened for 

 the Irish Terrier. The dog existed, of course, in its native 

 land. It may indeed be almost truthfully said to have existed 

 " as long as that country has been an island." 



About the year 1875, experts were in dispute over the Irish 

 Terrier, and many averred that his rough coat and length of 

 hair on forehead and muzzle were indubitable proof of Scotch 

 blood. His very expression, they said, was Scotch. But 

 the argument was quelled by more knowing disputants on the 

 other side, who claimed that Ireland had never been without 

 her terrier, and that she owed no manner of indebtedness to 

 Scotland for a dog whose every hair was essentially Irish. 



In the same year at a show held in Belfast a goodly number 

 of the breed were brought together, notable among them 

 being Mr. D. O'Connell's Slasher, a very good-looking wire- 

 coated working terrier, who is said to have excelled as a field 

 and water dog. Slasher was lint white in colour, and reputed 

 to be descended from a pure white strain. Two other terriers 

 of the time were Mr. Morton's Fly (the first Irish Terrier to 

 gain a championship) and Mr. George Jamison's Sport. 



The prominent Irish Terriers of the 'seventies varied con- 

 siderably in type. Stinger, who won the first prize at Lisburn 

 in 1875, was long-backed and short-legged, with a " dark 

 blue grizzle coloured back, tan legs, and white turned-out 

 feet." The dam of Mr. Burke's Killeney Boy was a rough 

 black and tan, a combination of colours which was believed to 



