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By which roundabout process I come back to the point from which I started - namely, with the expression of opinion that the single terrier of Ireland, as known and accepted in this twentieth century, is probably the outcome of several strains, which, had they been kept separate, might perchance have established themselves as several different breeds, as have our English terriers. That the perfected article is as different to its progenitors as the bulldog of to-day to the savage beast they baited bulls with when George III. was king, is not only as it is, but as it should be. This is an age of evolution and improvement, and, except in cases of crazy exaggeration, no one could wish to set our dogs back half a century. Certainly not the Irish terrier, as we know him, for few dogs have improved more or come into line better than the handsome, plucky, and popular little fellow who has won for himself the proud sobriquet of Dare-Devil. If the sister isle has been content with one representative of its terrier family, whilst we in England have elaborated ours into half a score, she has condensed into that single specimen enough good terrier qualities to dower a whole tribe with the finest virtues of its kind.
The late Mr. Krehl once exploited an ingenious theory that the Irish terrier, before the cunning hand of the exhibitor had run over him, was the descendant of the ancient Irish wolf-hound, and wrote, "We still consider a miniature Irish wolf-hound a good description of what we should like the Irish terrier to be. Look at the description of that grand old bitch Spuds in Stonehenge, and you have the wolf-hound's head and outline." This pet theory may seem rather far-fetched, but here is a fact that fits into it When the Irish wolf-hound Wolfe Tone was a three months' old whelp I was corresponding about the breed with Captain
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Graham, who may almost be described as its re-creator; and I described the pup to him in a letter as "like an Irish terrier, especially in the head, and barring the colour." The reply came back, " That's just what he should be," or words to that effect. Wherefore, when I read Mr. Krehl's pet theory my mind reverted instantly to that correspondence, and I was persuaded there was more in his argument than might appear on the surface; for if you can have a mastiff and a pug on parallel lines divided by latitude, I see no reason why there should not be a similar parallel between an Irish wolf-hound and terrier. On the other hand, I am bound to confess that whilst the modern Irish terrier is an Irish dog, there are some sceptics who disbelieve the same of the Irish wolf-hound ; and by no ingenuity of argument can you trace the likeness between the wolf-hound pup and the typical terrier to anything but accident. Notwithstanding, the coincidental resemblance was a genuine tribute to the correct lines on which Captain Graham re-created the breed.
The distinctive features of the Irish terrier are its hardiness, its ability to stand wet, cold, and fatigue, and its pluck and pugnacity. Reared in a damp climate, and often in a locality where, to put it mildly, it is somewhat damp under foot, he has become inured to wet, and a splendid water-dog. In Tipperary a pack of these terriers were kept to hunt the otter, and acquitted themselves as keenly, enduringly, and cleverly as otterhounds. But with these hardy and heroic qualities the Dare-Devil combines a singularly sweet and faithful disposition when removed from the temptation of a scrape with his fellow-creatures, and his devotion to his master has passed into a proverb. Until 1888 it was the practice to crop his ears, but in that year the Irish Terrier Club condemned it, and, so far as this breed
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was concerned, were instrumental in getting the Kennel Club to abolish the system, thus proving themselves pioneers in the path of humanity, for which all honour to them.
The following are the notes and criticisms which I have received from my contributors: -
Mr. J. J. PlM. - The type is improving again, but still there are many quite wrong, with large, light eyes, and black muzzles; wrong and dark in colour. There are no disputed points amongst Irishmen; but only amongst the English, who have tried and greatly spoiled the breed by making them into red fox-terriers in make and shape. Irish terriers used to be a leggy, liberty, biggish terrier. I won my first prize (a first) with Spuds in 1875, and I believe I have now judged this breed longer than any man.
Dr. Richard Carry. - I think the type of the majority seen on the bench is fairly good, but enough attention is not paid to several points by breeders. Coats in many instances are bad, and require a lot of manipulation to make them fit for exhibition. The colour of the eye is not well established; too many are met with light eyes.
Mr. Charles Backhouse. - I think the tendency of the present day is to pay too much attention to head, and the consequence is that the breed is losing expression, one of its best characteristics, and falling off in size, legs, and feet.
MR. C. J. Barnett. - The breed requires the barber's and faker's art to be severely put down. I do not know more than four champions that have natural coats. It is the ruin of the breed, and I hope and trust to see the new Kennel Club rule carried out to the letter, and with a firm hand. I helped to compile the Standard of Points, but, as the faker's art has progressed, would now give more point values for natural coat. Thirty years ago there were many black and red terriers in Ireland, with very hard coats, but of course were not bred from. I only wish we had kept to it, and not thrown out the old blacks, as their coats were very, very hard. If we had kept them perhaps so much faking would not be done now to get the coats up; it has become quite a barber's art A working man said to me not long ago, "I go to shows, and pick out a stud dog which looks to have a good coat, and breed from him to get coats from 6 to 9 inches long. So get disgusted and give up the breed." I have twenty old and
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young Irish terriers running about A public path runs through my yard, which opens to the high road. The dogs are loose from half-past eight to nearly five o'clock. Now and then the devil enters into them, especially after a wet day, when they are shut up; otherwise they are very good, and do not interfere with any one, nor do they fight With regard to my " ideal" Irish terrier, a few weeks ago I had a letter from a man wanting one 11 with a long head ; flat skull; good punishing jaw ; dark eyes ; nice ears carried to the side of the eye; nice level teeth; long muscular neck well placed in the shoulders, not set on them; fine withers ; nice deep chest, not wide; good straight legs with fairly small feet; straight back ; very slightly arched loin ; well-carried stern, set on rather high; not too far ribbed back, nor ribs too much sprung; strong, muscular hindquarters; hocks not too low, norsickle; coat hard, and a nice yellow red, a bit darker on face than body, and ears darker still; colour must be good, right to feet; a nice lively appearance, about 24 lbs. in weight, and, above all, good-tempered. For such an animal I am game to give three guineas (on approval)." Now, do you know, that is just the sort of dog I have been looking for myself to win the "Billy Graham cup with!
Mr. GEORGE MAYALL. - Generally speaking, I approve of the modern type ; but the show dogs are too coarse. More quality is required, and coats and colours have not improved.
Mr. Thomas Yarr. - It is difficult to define the present type, every judge having a type of his own; but I am glad to say the prevailing opinion is in favour of the medium size, with long, flat head, dark eyes, hard coat, good bone and feet, to which we are gradually returning. I quite agree with the Standard of Points; if more intelligently aimed at by breeders in the selection of mates, and more strictly observed by judges, a terrier of the true character would soon be produced. My idea of an *' ideal" terrier is: Nose black; teeth as even as possible and not under shot ; eyes small and dark; ears small and V-shaped, carried forward and dropping on the cheek; head long; skull flat, not bottle-shaped; powerful jaw, and good length from eye to nose. Neck fairly long, tapering and thickening into shoulders, and free from what is known as throatiness. Shoulders fine, and sloping nicely into the back, with deep narrow chest, and standing on straight legs and pastems ; good bone, and moderately small, round feet with dark nails. Body of a fair length, well-ribbed; straight back, slightly arched ; powerful loin ; hindquarters strong and muscular, with slightly bent stifles, and hocks near the ground,
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and not cow-hocked. The tail, well-covered with rough hair, should be set on pretty high, and nicely carried. Coat hard, straight, and flat, free from curl and shagginess. Colour neither very light nor very dark; bright red and red wheaten being most preferred, without any admixture of other colours. The weight of the dog should not exceed 24 lbs., and of the bitch 22. A dog to come up to this standard must be on rather racy lines, full of life and go, possessed of plenty of substance but free from clumsiness, and presenting a very graceful appearance.
MR. F. M. Jowett. - I am satisfied with type, but would like more attention paid to small, dark eyes, sound coats, and cleaner skulls. My idea of an "ideal" Irish terrier is: Head long; clean in cheek, with strong punishing jaws ; flat skull; black nose; small, dark eyes; small V-shaped ears, set on pretty high, and carried close to the cheek. Neck rather long, and sloping well into the shoulders, which should be long and fine. Chest deep but narrow; body moderately long; loin firm and strong; tail set on rather high, and carried gaily; hindquarters strong and muscular; legs moderately long, and well covered with hard, wiry hair; plenty of bone; and round, compact feet The coat should be yellow-red in colour, and very hard and wiry, straight and flat, and free from waviness or silkiness. Weight, 24 to 26 lbs. for dogs, and 22 to 24 lbs. for bitches. The general impression should be that of a keen, hard, wiry terrier, built on lines of speed, but at the same time with bone and substance; showing a graceful, racing outline; and being a rough and ready customer able to hold his own with anything his weight
Mr. R. M'Mullen Bolster. - The modern type of Irish terrier is all right, but the diversity of opinion amongst judges is to be deplored. In the Irish Terrier Club's Standard of Points these points are laid down as "the correct card," but a judge gives his award, varying widely from some particular point I have owned terriers of all breeds, and I boldly give the palm to the Irish terrier; as companions they cannot be beaten; their work is the river- or stream-side rat-hunting, or to help an otter hound pack, or, when broken to it, weasel-hunting. In these occupations they cannot be surpassed.
Mr. Arthur Reade. - The trouble about type is that we have so many. Take three leading winners, and you will find that if one is right the other two must, logically, be wrong. Fortunately we have a lot of good bitches; half a dozen of them are real fliers. The Standard of Points is satisfactory, but sufficient attention is not paid to the mouth, dogs considerably over-
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shot winning good prizes, and sometimes even slightly undershot specimens, A minus of 5 or even 10 points should be deducted for light eyes, which are often allowed to pass.
Mr. G. Gallaher. - More attention should be given by breeders to the texture of the coat, which should be long, hard, and of a perfect wheaten colour. The head of the present exhibit should be longer, with much more power in the foreface; the eyes should be much smaller and darker than a good many exhibitors are showing at the present time. Also more points should be allowed for carriage of ears, as a great many are far from correct. Besides its sporting capabilities, the Irish terrier seems to be possessed of a wonderful ability to trace its master long distances, and learns to retrieve by the light of nature. Here are some examples :�
A friend of mine (writes Mr. Yarr), who was going to a fair some ten miles from his home to sell some cattle, started with the intention of leaving his terrier behind, but it followed his gig, unperceived, to the railway station, some two miles distant There, being noticed, it was driven back, and hunted towards home. My friend took train to the next station, got out, and walked to the fair, where his cattle were amongst hundreds of others; and he was not long there when his terrier ran up, wagging its tail and exhibiting every symptom of delight. Whether he followed the rails, or how he found his way there, remained a mystery.
The Irish terrier (writes Mr. Reade) has a wonderful instinct to return long distances to its master. I myself have had three and a half months' old pups, sent out to walk at six miles distant, return home the next day, although they had never been out of the kennels or paddock before in their lives. Their natural instinct to retrieve is also very marked; my dogs are constandy bringing me, most carefully, various treasures they find and fancy will interest me - scraps of printed paper, bits of tin, etc. They are grand water-dogs, and I find it hard to keep them out of it when in sight My favourite stud-dog will jump into the canal from any of the bridges, while both he and two of my bitches will dive after a rat, and kill it under water. This I have proved over and over again. They are able to swim at a good pace, and soon overhaul a rat in the water.
I once had a bitch (writes Mr. Jowett) that would kill cats as easily as rats, and was so well broken to ferrets that when the
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powers of endurance of cold and hardship are wonderful." - " Good tempered ; can be taught to do anything; Irish in character." - " Irish terriers are a particularly hardy breed; can gallop very fast for their size; and owing to their colour do not ever appear dirty. The only fault I have to find with them is their extreme excitability, and, like most Irishmen, are too fond of a shindy." - "Such game, lively dogs, always ready for sport of any kind, land or water! I have used them for waterside hunting, marking rabbits in holes or walls, and some of them will point game like a pointer or setter, and will retrieve either fur or feather, though rather hard in the mouth." - "My particular delight is in the production and possession of a winning specimen, and I am fascinated with those that come up to my standard of excellence. - " I believe there is no breed of dog possessing more affection for its master. It is a dog that can almost be brought to know what is passing in one's mind, and its sagacity is marvellous." - "An ideal terrier, a keen sportsman, a good pal, and a grand water-dog. He can rough it, and still be happy and healthy, and as devoted to his master as if he enjoyed the best of everything." - " He should be termed the ' gentleman's pal.'" There are a great number of specialist clubs engaged in fostering the breed of Irish terriers, but by far the most important is The Irish Terrier Club, of which Dr. Richard Carey is Honorary Secretary at headquarters, and Mr. G. Mayall the Honorary Secretary for England. The club is one of the oldest of similar institutions in existence, having been founded so far back as 1879, and the membership is 120. It appoints a score of judges, who adjudicate on the breed at all the chief shows. Financially, the club is in a wonderfully sound position, its last balance-sheet
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showing nearly L150 to the good. It supported eighteen dog shows very liberally last year (1902), and its challenge plate includes two thirty - guinea cups and two ten-guinea cups, which are circulated in delightfully swift succession, each of the two former having been won five times in the same year, and the two latter twice as often. The entrance fee to the club is 1 os., and the annual subscription L1.
The following is the description of the " true Irish terrier," as revised by the Irish Terrier Club in 1897: -
STANDARD OF POINTS OF THE IRISH TERRIER
Head.-Long; skull flat and rather narrow between the ears, getting slightly narrower towards the eye; free from wrinkles; stop hardly visible except in profile. The jaw must be strong and muscular, and not too full in the cheek, and of a good punishing length. There should be a slight falling away below the eye, so as not to have a greyhound appearance. Hair on face of same description as on the body, but short (about a quarter of an inch long), in appearance almost smooth and straight; a slight beard is the only longish hair (and it is only long in comparison with the rest) that is permissible, and that is characteristic.
Teeth.-Should be strong and level.
Lips.-Not so tight as a bull terrier's, but well fitting, showing through the hair their black lining.
Nose.-Most be black.
Eyes.-A dark, hazel colour; small, not prominent, and full of life, 6re, and intelligence.
Ears.-Small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well back on the head, and dropping forward closely to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and the hair thereon shorter and darker in colour than the body.
Neck.-Should be of fair length, and gradually widening towards the shoulders, well carried and free of throatiness. There is generally a slight sort of frill visible at each side of the neck, running nearly to the comer of the ear.
Shoulders and Coat.-Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into back ; the chest deep and muscular, but neither full nor wide.
Back and Loins. - Body moderately long; back should be strong and straight, with no appearance of slackness behind the shoulders ; the loin broad and powerful, and slightly arched ; the ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and well ribbed back.
Hindquarters. - Should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, the hocks near the ground, the stifles moderately bent.
Stern. - Generally docked; should be free of fringe or feather, but
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well covered with rough hair; 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 roost desirable. Legs moderately long, well set from the shoulders, perfectly straight, with plenty of bone and muscle; the elbows working 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 outwards, the legs free of feather, and covered, like the head, with as hard a texture of coat as the 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 sbagginess, and free from lock or curl.
COLOUR. - Should be "whole-coloured," the most preferable being bright red, red wheaten, or yellow red. 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 on all self-coloured breeds.
Size and Symmetry. - The most desirable weight in show condition is - for a dog 24 lbs., and for a bitch 22 lbs. The dog must present an active, lively, lithe, and wiry appearance ; lots of substance; at the same time free of clumsiness, as speed and endurance, as well as power, are very essential. They must be neither cloddy nor cobby, but should be framed on the lines of speed, showing a graceful racing outline.
Temperament. - Dogs that are very game are usually surly or snappish. The Irish terrier, as a breed, is an exception, being remarkably good tempered, notably so with mankind ; it being admitted, however, that he is perhaps a little too ready to resent interference on the part of other dogs. There is a heedless, reckless pluck about the Irish terrier which is characteristic; and, coupled with the headlong dash, blind to all consequences, with which he rushes at his adversary, has earned for the breed the proud epithet of "the Dare-Devils." When off duty they are characterised by a quiet caress-inviting appearance; and when one sees them endearingly, timidly pushing their heads into their master's hands, it is difficult to realise that on occasions at the "set on" they can prove they have the courage of a lion, and will fight until the last breath in their bodies. They develop an extraordinary devotion to their masters, and have been known to track them almost incredible distances.
Point Values - Positive Points
Head, ears, and expression - 20
Legs and feet - 15
Neck - 5
Shoulders and chest - 10
Back and loin - 5
Hindquarters and stem - 0
Coat - 15
Colour - 10
Size and symmetry - 10
Total - 100
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Negative Points
White nails, toes, and feet... -10
Much white on chest... -10
Dark shadings on face... -5
Mouth undershot or cankered... -10
Coat shaggy, curry, or soft... -10
Uneven in colour... -5
Total... 50
There would seem to be a good deal of convergence of opinion as to the correct type of dog in this breed, for I have received the names of no less than eight dogs and eight bitches as being the most representative. The former, headed by Mile End Muddier, include Bolton Woods Mixer, Bolton Woods Star, Straight Tip, Whetstone Ard Patrick, Celtic Tormentor, and Attic Demon. The bitches, with Bawn Beauty coming first, include Bawn Vixen, Beeston Beauty, Lady Dufferin, Beeston Belle, Celtic Belle, Hillford Daisy, and Charwoman. From these I have had no difficulty in selecting Ch. Mile End Muddler as the subject of my illustration.
Ch. Mile End Muddler was bred by Mr. C. J. Barnett, by Ch. Breda Muddler ex Burma, and was born in June 1899. He is the property of Mr. Frank Clifton, who describes him as follows : - "A beautiful terrier, built on correct Irish terrier lines. He has a good length of bead; perfect flat skull; good foreface; dark eyes, well placed ; small V-shaped ears, correctly carried; good neck and shoulders; best of legs and feet; body, coat, and carriage of tail perfect. He is perfect in colour, being the much- desired golden-red ; also correct in size, and full of Irish character. His weight is 26 lbs. He has won 18 championships and over 250 first and special prizes, and is the sire of innumerable winners, whom I have not got room to quote, - amongst them Ch. Beeston Belle."
