CHAPTER IX.
THE IRISH TERRIER.
"The Irish terrier is a cheap dog, is it not?" said a friend to me the other day. "I do not know about its cheapness," I replied; "but if you have a really good one it will bring a hundred pounds any time you want to sell it." And such is the fact. A first-class Irish terrier is worth almost as much as a fox terrier, and as a so-called marketable canine commodity ranks only after the latter, the collie, and the St. Bernard in value. He is a favourite dog, hence his worth.
His popularity has only come about during the past fifteen years or so; dog shows have been his fortune, and the Irish Terrier Club has no doubt assisted him to his high position. It was as far back as about 1882 that I was judging dogs at Belfast, and was then very much struck with the extraordinary character possessed by sundry Irish terriers which were brought into the ring; they included Mr. J. N. R. Pirn's Erin, perhaps the best
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all-round specimen of her race that ever lived, her progeny Poppy and Playboy, and there were several other typical terriers whose names do not occur to me. I became enamoured of the variety, and then prognosticated a popular future for them should they only breed fairly true to character and type, and be produced with ears that did not require cutting. That I was not far wrong is plainly in evidence, as the Irish terrier must certainly be placed as the second terrier in popularity at the time I write.
The early volumes of the "Kennel Club Stud Book" did not contain special classes for Irish terriers, they being grouped with the wire-haired fox terriers. However, in 1876 they had a division for themselves, in which there were nineteen entries, five of which were owned by Mr. G. Jameson, of New-townards. To prove how the variety has increased since then, attention need only be called to the two hundred and twenty names of Irish terriers that appear in the most recent volume of the Stud Book, published in 1893. In 1878 and 1879 Birmingham first arranged classes for Irish terriers, and in the latter year, when there were fifteen entries, Messrs. Carey, W. Graham, A. Krehl, and G. R. Krehl were amongst the exhibitors in the two divisions provided.
Before the dates named we look in vain for classes for Irish terriers at the leading shows out of
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Ireland. Such dogs were then, excepting by a few persons who knew them and kept them in their native country, considered mongrels, and so no doubt they would have continued had not their gameness and general excellence been suddenly discovered by the general public. That they are admirable companions cannot be denied, and one I have in the house now, a relative of champions, and by no means a bad-looking dog himself, is about as perfect a specimen of a dog of the London suburbs as can be imagined. But perhaps more of him anon, and any further remarks of my own shall be preceded by the opinions of one or two gentlemen who have given more attention to the Irish terrier than I could possibly have done, but that they are more ardent admirers of him I will not allow.
Mr. W. J. Cotton, of Blessington, co. Wicklow, who has bred and kept Irish terriers for a great number of years, writes characteristically of their origin as follows:
"To Sir Walter Raleigh, through potato skins, the Irish cottier, and hardships, we owe the Irish terrier. When Ireland was more thickly inhabited, there were small parties of cottiers grouped together; each had his cabbage and potato garden badly fenced, and each family spent the greater portion of their time round the turf hearth, watching the
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murphies boil. The circle was incomplete, and liable to be disturbed in their beloved indolence, without a dog, which was hissed on when the neighbouring pig or goat invaded the boundary of the estate. A large dog required too much support; one with some spice of pluck was, however, required in order to enforce its authority. The combination of Pat, pig, and potatoes, was conducive of rats - and rats of sport and rivalry. As such terriers were indiscriminately bred, and all ran wild, the dog with the most pluck exercised the largest influence on the breed.
"We can thus imagine the pups bearing the greatest resemblance to any particular champion were selected; hence in this respect the survival of the fittest. During the day, as described, these terriers lay at the fire, and at night, though the pig might be given a corner of the cabin, the terrier was shown the outside of the door to guard the larder, which was the potato pit, look after the general safety of the estate, and to find a bed in the ditch or butt of the haycock. Generations of this treatment developed them into the 'pine knots' they are.
"Driving along the roads any hour of the night, this state of things you will find still to exist, and it is a matter of wonder how the inmates sleep and quite ignore the choruses of howls on moonlight
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nights. I believe myself that the Irish garrisons distributed over the country the bulldog, which was used for crossing. As many native fanciers say, to this day, there is nothing like a "eras" of the bull, and I think the Irish terriers' disposition largely shows it. You find them still of all types, long in leg, short on leg, and long in body, and crooked in legs, and of all colours, red, black, blue, brindle, and those with tan legs often have the best coats. I know at the present time brindles showing more of the modern type as regards length of leg and general conformation than the other colours.
"There is a glen, Imaal, in the Wicklow mountains that has always been, and still is, justly celebrated for its terriers. It would be hard to specify their colour in particular - the wheaten in all shades to that of bright red. In Kerry I think the black blue is most prevalent; quite black very uncommon, and I hardly ever saw a good specimen that colour. Mr. Chas. Galway, of Waterford, the breeder of the celebrated greyhound Master McGrath, for years, long before the Irish terrier came into fashion, always kept and bred the variety, and I am told there was no getting one from him. I am also informed the coats of his terriers were rather inclined to curl, and that the dogs themselves were undeniably game.
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"The father of the present pedigree family was Killiney Boy, bred by Mr. Burke, of Queen's-street, Dublin. He passed from him to a Mr. Flannigan, residing at Castlenock, which place was purchased by Mr. Donnegan, Dane-street, Dublin, who found Killiney Boy running about deserted. The dog was duly adopted, and afterwards given to Mr. Howard Waterhouse, with whom he died a short time ago; his dam was a rough black and tan bitch, the type now accepted as the Welsh terrier, hence the black and tan puppies so often found in the strains descended from him." It has been said that Killiney Boy was worried and almost eaten by a litter of puppies of which he was the sire.
Mr. C. J. Barnett, of Hambleden, whose name is a household word in connection with Irish terriers, says: "There is no doubt that the Irish terrier was the common terrier of Ireland a century ago, and is to this day the friend and companion of the native. Before railways were introduced, interbreeding in certain localities caused a type which might have varied slightly in different districts, and as colour was a minor consideration, we so often find puppies even to the present day black and tan, grey or brindle in colour. This does not show bad breeding, but rather the contrary, to continue the colour through so many generations, for these dogs,
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like the Welsh ponies, no matter whatever they are crossed with, appear to perpetuate their peculiar characteristics. I have heard it stated that the pure Irishman was originally a large terrier, and to reduce the size a cross with a Manchester terrier was used, hence the black and tan puppies that are so often produced.
'I am happy to say I cannot find the slightest foundation for this statement; I have myself tried such a cross carefully and it quite failed, and I am convinced it would take years to breed out the black and tan strain, with its sleek coat, and get back to the somewhat rugged outline and waterproof jacket of the Irish terrier.
"At an early Irish show, in 1874, there were classes given for Irish terriers under 91b. weight, clearly showing that small terriers were fashionable then. In my rambles through Ireland I have generally asked for the man who kept the best terriers in the village, and, on hearing where he was, I went to see his dogs. He was always anxious to show me not only his own but those of his neighbours as well. I have seen good terriers which would get a prize at many of our English shows, but which were kept so out of sight, partly through fear of the 'corner boys,' that resident fanciers who regularly show were ignorant of their
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existence. These were owned by cottiers in the small towns and villages. I noticed that the majority of such dogs had a few grey or black hairs in their coats, but as a rule they were inclined to be a light red in colour and very hard in texture; the ears are also larger as a rule than is fashionable in England, but well carried.
"At a small public house near Sion Mills, Stra-bane, is an Irish terrier dog, now 16 years of age, not at all the fashionable type, as he is very low on the leg and rather thick in front, but he has a charming head, with a most intelligent expression, and a good pair of ears. Wherever the Irish terrier may have got his type, there is no denying his real native expression and general characteristics, which have made him so popular in England.
"The foundations of the present generation of show terriers are nearly all descended from Mr. Waterhouse's Killiney Boy, and it is a difficult matter to find one that has not some drop of his blood in his veins. The red or yellow are now considered the correct colour, and the dark puppies are usually destroyed, but as the dam of Killiney Boy was a rough black and tan, colour is merely a question of fashion. When red puppies are born in the same litter as black and tans, the former are nearly always a good bright red; but the black and tan have the
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better coats, invariably as hard as pin wire. I am by no means certain that by not using the latter to breed from we are losing the hard, wiry coats, and brighter red colour; and were it not for the art of trimming many of our winning terriers would have coats almost as shaggy as are found on some mountain sheep.
"When Irish terriers were first shown it was the fashion to crop their ears to a point, making them look very sharp. As they were often used as fighting dogs in the good old days, this might have been of some service, but of late years a strong feeling has grown up against it, and acting on the advice of the Irish Terrier Club, the Kennel Club passed a rule that no cropped Irish terrier born since Dec. 31, 1889, can compete at shows under their rules.
"Although nearly all our best terriers are, as already stated, descended from Killiney Boy, many trace their pedigree back to a union of that dog with a bitch named Erin, bought by Mr. W. Graham, of Belfast, before being shown at Dublin in 1879. This bitch was perhaps the best Irish terrier ever seen, and I very much doubt if any terrier of to-day is her superior, if her equal. Both Killiney Boy and Erin were cropped, but in their first litter there was a puppy born whose ears were so good that they were allowed to remain as nature made
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them. This puppy was afterwards named Play Boy; the others in the litter were Poppy, Pagan II., Gerald, Pretty Lass, with Peggy, who later was dam of Garryford. This must be acknowledged as a most extraordinary litter, and such a one has seldom been produced at one time.
"Erin was afterwards mated with another dog named Paddy II., and Garryowen and Glory were two of their puppies, and a bitch named Jess, who, put to Killiney Boy, threw a dog called Gripper. The latter was not successful at the stud, and bitches by him when put to dogs by either Killiney Boy or dogs descended from him, are very apt to throw black and tan, brindle, or grey.
"Of the earlier terriers none came up to Erin, who, bar her feet and cropped ears, was nearly perfect, and, until her own celebrated litter, was unrivalled. Mr. W. Graham, Newtownbreda, who has bred and owned a large number of winners, and is one of the leading authorities on the variety, is of opinion that she was the best Irish terrier he has yet seen.
"The competition between the brother and sister, Play Boy and Poppy, was always very keen, the bitch being cropped; but the dog carried a pair of beautiful ears. Poppy was the richer in colour, and when young had a very keen and intelligent
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expression. Play Boy possessed the more substance, but his eyes were somewhat too full, which made him look somewhat quiet and hardly sharp enough.
"Play Boy was not a success at the stud, though he sired a dog named Bogie Rattler, owned by myself, who took after him in looks and good ears, but was lower on the leg, more cloddy, and not of Play Boy's quality. Bogie mated with Biddy III., by Gripper and Cora (drop ears), produced first Champion Bachelor, and, in the next litter, Benedict, which I sold to Mr. Graham. Benedict became the most celebrated stud dog of the day, for he is sire or grandsire of more winners than any other Irish terrier.
"Bachelor was very successful in the show ring, and took after his sire and grandsire in having a good pair of ears. He had also a very hard coat, of good colour, yellow tipped with red, a long neck, which was very muscular, and a well-shaped head, which never grew too thick; his hind quarters were rather short, and his shoulders somewhat coarse, the latter no doubt caused by the amount of work he did. Benedict was a darker colour, with a lot of coat on his fore quarters, but little on his loins or hind quarters, and of rather a lighter make than Bachelor. It may interest my readers to know that in the litter which included Bachelor there were three red, one
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grey, and five rough black and tan coloured puppies, and in that in which Benedict was produced, there were three red and five rough black and tan in hue.
"A noted rival of Bachelor's on the show bench was Mr. Graham's Extreme Carelessness (afterwards sold to Mr. Graves, of Liverpool), a bitch that when a puppy was almost black, or rather, nearly every hair was more black than yellow. At four years of age the tips of a few hairs only were black, and two years ago, just before she died, I saw the old bitch in Ireland, looking very fit and well, but of a beautiful yellow-red colour, and entirely free from any black tinge. She was given back to Mr. Graham after she had finished her show career. Extreme Carelessness was cropped, her head rather heavy, and she had a slight slackness behind the shoulders, otherwise she was a charming bitch of great character and of good quality. She and Bachelor had many hard struggles for 'specials,' their successes being about equal.
"Erin, two years after her celebrated litter, again visited Killiney Boy, and threw a bitch, Droleen, who, put to a long-headed dog named Michael, by Pagan II., a grandson of both Killiney Boy and Erin, threw for her owner, Mr. E. A. Wiener, the best dog since Bachelor's days, Brickbat by name, who has had a most successful show
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career, winning the Challenge Cup given by the Irish Terrier Club twelve times, without once being defeated, and finally he secured it outright.
"Brickbat is unfortunately cropped, and his expression requires greater smartness; he is rather too big, and has a mere apology of a stern. Otherwise this excellent terrier is pretty nearly perfect.
"Poppy, to the best of my recollection, only bred one good puppy, called Poppy II., very like her dam, but of a lighter build, and too leggy. I think the above a rough outline of the earlier generation of Irish terriers, bringing them down to the present time, for, although Brickbat has retired from the show bench, he is still alive and vigorous, and in Mr. Wardle's studio the other day he looked quite fresh as he was standing for his picture.
"Although so popular on the show bench, it is as a companion that 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 yet 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
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kept at Newbury, Berks, was one of the gamest little terriers he ever owned, 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. The badger earths in our Buckinghamshire chalk hills are not large, but run very deep, often 16ft. to 18ft., so one cannot dig, and it is little short of cruelty to put a terrier in, as he may get blocked; it is too deep to hear a sound, and Irish terriers are not noisy enough, fighting and taking their punishment in silence, nor do they ' bay' their game like other terriers. I have often run two of my terriers, Boundary and Birthright, into small earths, and found them of no use, as we could not hear where they were, unless the badger grunted or they whined, and they have come out fearfully mauled and bitten.
"I accounted for one fox with an Irish terrier, and this was by accident, as I did not think the dog would kill it in less than half a minute or so, but he rolled it over, bit it through the brisket, and the fox was dead before I had time to get the dog off.
"It is in the water that Irish terriers excel, as they take to it as naturally as a duck, and as a
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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.
"The Irish terrier is of little use in rabbit shooting; it is dangerous for the dogs, as they are too near the same colour as the rabbit, and as a rule run mute. I myself have more than once put up the gun at one of the terriers, mistaking it for a hare. They are also too large to penetrate the rabbit runs in the brambles, and the meuses in our whitethorn laid hedgerows often check them. I have killed ten couples in a day by blocking the holes up and hunting the rabbits down. Irish terriers are keen
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enough and dead game, try their hardest to kill, but much as I love them I am compelled to say that they are not so good for rabbiting as beagles or small fox terriers, chiefly on account of their size and colour.
"I have seen it stated that an Irish terrier could catch a hare; so it perhaps might if the hare had a trap to a leg, or was sick and poorly, but as there are some hares that a greyhound cannot kill on their own ground, it is not likely an Irish terrier could run down even an ordinary hare. Nor is it part of his duty to do so. Here is an account of a trial or two between an Irish terrier and a fox terrier noted for its skill in rabbit coursing:
"We slipped them in a stubble field. Just at the end the hare stopped to pick her run, and was out of sight when the terrier got through. The next slip was on a fallow, the hare having about ten yards start, at the end of the field there was a considerable slope up-hill. After 'puss' had got about 150 yards ahead, we saw her look round and wait until the terriers got to within a yard or so, and then jump on one side and quietly jog away out of sight.
"I do not know a better companion for the man or woman who only keeps one dog than an Irish
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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 always been kennelled until he came to me, so I was afraid he might resent being pulled about, as he was of rather a quick temper, but to my surprise he enjoyed the romp, which was more than some of the mothers of the children did".
Mr. Barnett does not allude at length to the natural tendency some of the Irish terriers have to retrieve and fetch and carry. Barney, my dog in the house at Brixton, is never happier than when bringing the daily paper into the sitting-room from downstairs, where the boy has left it. A curious habit, too, he has. He may be waiting at the gate, and, seeing me in the distance, he will pick up any little piece of newspaper he finds in the roadway, and fetch it, though a mere scrap, but brought so tenderly between the lips as to leave not the slightest mark or dampness.
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Barney, however, excelled himself one day when he brought into the house a teacup containing an egg. The former was carried by the rim, and carefully deposited into the hands of my housekeeper, the egg uncracked, the feat a record. One of the neighbours had given them to the dog, who evidently thought he could not do better with the presents than hand them over to his best friend. He was never trained to retrieve and fetch and carry; the accomplishment is a natural one.
I can also speak personally of the capabilities of the Irish terrier as a water dog, for I have seen puppies at four months old swim across a strong stream fifty yards wide, follow the older ones hunting, and as keen "on rats" as the fully grown dogs could possibly be. These juveniles would also kill rabbits, and generally their precocity was quite astonishing. But it must be borne in mind that these young "Irishmen" had not been reared in kennels, they, on the contrary, having a free range in which to play, and where they could hunt either rats or rabbits when so inclined.
Mention may be made here of an Irish terrier who, perhaps, rejoiced in the name of Rags. Anyhow, he was a performer on the stage, his great feat being turning somersaults, which he did backwards, and, as a variety, turned "double somersaults," the latter
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I fancy about as difficult a feat as any dog ever attempted and performed successfully.
Before proceeding to the description and points of the Irish terrier, the following notes by Mr. W. C. Bennett, of Dublin, will perhaps be interesting, although they go over much the same ground as that which we have already traversed.
"From what I have been able to gather from those who, like myself, are interested in this variety of the canine race, and from what I can recall of early specimens, I have come to the conclusion that the present show terriers are a more or less 'made up' breed, though doubtless a variety of terrier existed, resembling the present dogs, somewhat as a half-bred filly resembles a thoroughbred mare.
"My first recollection of the breed dates back some thirty years, to a brace of bitches owned by a relative residing in Parsonstown, who procured them from a trainer on the Curragh. They were high on the leg, somewhat open in coat, and wheaten in colour, and this latter is, I have always considered, the proper shade for the jacket of any Irish terrier. Most of the earlier specimens exhibited were of this hue, the bright red now, or recently, so fashionable being almost unknown. About the same time, or a few years later perhaps, I made the acquaintance of a rare old stamp of bitch, which was brought from
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the North of Ireland, and many a day's outing we had together; she was harder and closer in coat than those mentioned above, coloured bright wheaten, and nearer in shape and character, and in all respects, to the present show type than anything else I saw at that period.
"Few people in those early days gave much attention to the appearance of their terriers, and if they were game, and good at destroying rats and other vermin, they would be kept and bred from, and as these terriers were principally owned by farmers and cottiers, who kept one or two roaming about their houses and farms, they were hardly likely to be very select in the matter of breeding. Even to this day, in parts of the country, one comes across this old breed, as often as not with tails undocked, and sometimes, alas, showing a dash of greyhound blood. Many of them, too, are brindled in colour, and certainly smart terrier-like animals.
"I have several times been assured by those from whom I sought information, that a special strain of Irish terriers was kept in their families for generations, and they usually described them as wheaten coloured, open coated, with long, punishing jaws, and I was shown by a friend of mine (lately deceased) a game-looking wheaten coloured bitch, long and low on the
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leg, with a very open coat, long, level head, with little or no stop visible. The owner claimed to have had her breed for over thirty years in his family. I can vouch that she would fight until nearly killed, if once provoked.
"County Wicklow lays claim to a breed of what were so-called Irish terriers; they frequently showed a blue shade on the back, were long in body, and rather short on leg, and even so recently as the year 1887 a class was given at the show held in Limerick, for silver-haired Irish terriers, the specimens exhibited being a slate blue colour. They were not to my mind a distinct variety, nor very terrierlike in appearance, and I believe the difficulty in getting a uniformity of type when breeding from the very best blood obtainable is proof positive that more than one strain was used in producing the present fashionable dog.
"In the first collection I saw in the Exhibition Palace Show, held in Dublin early in the seventies, there were scarcely two of the same size or weight exhibited, and with few, very few, exceptions they were a rough lot.
"Mr. P. Flanaghan, of Dublin, had many of the old sort, and game ones they were. He used them for badger drawing, and in the National Show alluded to, he exhibited a bitch, Daisy, which
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was described in the catalogue as 'well known to be of the purest and gamest breed in Ireland.' Mr. Cotton, of Blessington, also possesses terriers descended from stock for many years in his possession, and owned by him before classes were given at shows for them. His Cruisk (who won prizes in Dublin and elsewhere) is, however, as unlike the earlier sort as possible, as he is a neat terrier-like dog, with beautifully carried ears, and a hard, crisp coat - a charming dog brimful of character.
"I have seen and owned puppies by the celebrated Killiney Boy, and by dogs tracing from him, with short coats and black hairs. The old dog was open in coat, with a grand terrier head, straight in hocks, but a game little tyke, and died fighting - being killed in a kennel row. He had grown quite white in face and chest when last I saw him; and many of his strain, earlier in life than is the case with most other dogs (like the Palmerston strain of Irish setters), grow grizzled about the head.
"A glance at the pedigree of almost any of the noted winners of the day will serve to show how much Killiney Boy did to bring the breed to its present form, as few pedigrees are without his name, and many of them on both sire and dam side trace back to him. Curiously enough, the short-haired mahogany
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coloured specimens often prove very serviceable when bred from, and throw pups with plenty of coat, and this I have proved myself, and heard other breeders assert. Mr. Barnett's Benedict (brother to Champion Bachelor) was a notable instance of this, being very short in coat on body and sides, and he probably got as many winners on the bench as any dog of this variety.
"The north of Ireland was the stronghold of the Irish terriers for many a day, and still holds its own, with Mr. William Graham to aid it. Even there I should doubt if a pure descent of Irish terrier could be traced back for thirty years, as so long ago no one cared to go to the trouble of breeding them to one uniform type, and those who used them for fighting purposes crossed them with the bull terrier to increase their gameness and punishing power.
"Wexford, Dublin, and other parts had strains of their own, and when classes were formed at shows, and good prizes offered, fair specimens of the old sort were to be had, which, with judicious mating, produced a level and neat terrier, but these, as before observed, frequently threw back to the old stock, and sometimes a rough, open coated puppy still appears in the best bred litters, differing from all his brothers and sisters. Strange to say the
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freedom from stop, which is one of the characteristics of the present dog, was highly thought of in the dogs bred in former days, and as the ears were almost invariably cropped it mattered little how they came, but if uncut were usually heavy and carried low on the head.
"A glance at the earlier show catalogues confirms what I have written above as to the doubtful breeding of the earlier terriers.
"Take the Exhibition Palace Show at Dublin in 1874. Here classes were divided as 'dogs and bitches exceeding 91b., and dogs and bitches under that weight;' in the former class ten competed, and half that number had no pedigree assigned to them; in the latter class only three competed, one of these, the second prize winner, having no pedigree. The following year three classes were provided, including a champion class 'for winners of a first prize at any show.' Dogs over 9lb. and bitches over 9lb. Four champions (save the mark) competed; two had pedigrees and the other two had none. In dogs over 9lb. six competed, two only having pedigrees. Four bitches over 9lb. were entered, half that number having pedigrees and half not.
"At the Dublin show in 1878 there were even fewer competitors, a dog and bitch class being
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given, with no restrictions as to weight. In the former there were four entries, and in the latter three, but only two of the lot appear to be able to boast of a pedigree.
"Does not the above prove that pedigrees in those days were little attended to, otherwise surely they would be stated if known. Some of the entries in these old catalogues are amusing, one entry being described as 'Pedigree terrier, well bred;' another, appropriately named 'The Limb, this bitch has jumped off all the highest bridges in and about Dublin.' Needless to say she was entered as 'not for sale.' Jack 'appears to have been a favourite name, and three with this cognomen competed in one class, and, oh, 'the grumbling ' at the awards, for everyone thought his tyke the only true and only genuine article, and owners were by no means loth to express their opinions in words".
A year or so later good ones appeared, such as Messrs. Carey's Sport, Spuds, and Sting, Mr. Water-house's Killiney Boy, and Mr. Wm. Graham's Erin,the latter brace when mated producing such good ones as Pagan II. and Play Boy, the particulars of which are fully given in what Mr. Barnett has contributed earlier on.
Some of the best Irish terriers have already been
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mentioned, but omission should not be made of dogs so good as Gripper; Major Arnand's Fury II.; Phadruig; Dr. Carey's Sting; Peter Bodger (Mr. Waterhouse); Mr. H. A. Graves' Glory (the smallest Irish terrier that attained champion honours); Mr. W. Graham's Gilford; Mr. Backhouse's Buster, Bumptious Biddy, and Begum; Nora Tatters, a great favourite of mine, with Droleen and Bencher, all Mr. Wiener's; Mr. Sumner's St. George and B.A.; Dan'el II., Breadenhill; Mr. F. Breakell's Bonnet; Mr. Mayell's Chaperon and Mr. A. E. Clear's Breda Mixer. Still another youngster that I opine will not be long in becoming a champion is Mr. C. J. Barnett's Black Sheep, a dog of 241b. weight, about the size the best of them have been. His dark face may be objectionable, and he is perhaps a mere trifle long in back, but, all round, I have never seen a better terrier, and I fancy that, assisted by his excellent pair of natural ears, he will be the first dog to lower the colours of Mr. Wiener's so long successful Brickbat, if his owner has the temerity to place the latter on the bench again.
Another favourite Irish terrier of mine is Mr. Barnett's Birthright. She weighs 181b., and has been kept out of many prizes because some judges consider her small. Her character and general
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form are exquisite. Other typical Irish terriers up to date are Mrs. Butcher's Bawnboy and Ted Malone; Mr. T. Yarr's Poor Pat; Mr. F. Parkyn's Firefly; Mr. Jowett's Crowgill Sportsman; Mr. C. B. Murless's Magic; Mr. Krehl's Bishop's Boy; Mr. T. Wallace's Treasurer; whilst from time to time Mr. James Sumner, Mr. J. W. Taylor, Dr. Marsh, Mr. F. W. Jowett, Mr. H. Benner, Mr. C. R. Norton, Mr. C. M. Nicholson, and Mr. T. C. Tisdall, have all owned Irish terriers of more than ordinary excellence.
The Irish Terrier Club was established in 1879, and proving unusually liberal in supporting certain shows, has no doubt done much to popularise the variety over which it looks. Its challenge cup is valuable and handsome, which, as already stated, was won outright by Brickbat, but two cups of equal value will shortly be offered by the club.
Considerable difference of opinion has been expressed as to the description of the Irish terrier as issued by the club, it evidently being modelled on that of the fox terrier. The following, compiled by an "up to date" admirer and successful breeder of the variety, will give an idea of the "points"of an Irish terrier; at any rate, when assisted by Mr. Wardle's drawings, they will do so.
222 Modern Dogs
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, are apt to give the dog a curious expression. They should be small, keen, and more almond-shaped than round, set in the head and not on the head. Light eyes very objectionable.
Ears - Fairly thick, V-shaped, and set on to fall to the corner of the eye and close to the cheeks, but not at a right angle to the head; they should not be set on too high or point to the nose.
Neck - Long, clean, and muscular, slightly arched, free from throatiness and nicely placed in the shoulders, not set on the top of them.
Shoulders - Strong and fine, nicely sloping to the back and firm to the hand, the dog should feel strong when pressed on the shoulders, the withers narrow, and gracefully joining the neck and back.
The Irish Terrier 223
Chest - Of good depth, wide enough to give the heart and lungs free play, but not wide when viewed in front.
Back - Straight and strong.
Loin - Very slightly arched.
Stern - Docked or shortened, set rather high, must be gaily carried but not curled; the stern should be placed on in a line with the back, if too low it gives the dog a mean and unsymmetrical appearance behind.
Body - Of good depth, well ribbed up, but not too far back, or it will make him seem too thickset and cobby, and detract from his appearance of liberty; flank slightly tucked up, but not enough to make the dog look shelly or light. Ribs inclined to flatness and not too much arched or sprung.
Legs And Feet - The legs should be strong, straight, and muscular, but not too upright in the pasterns, which should be slightly springy; elbows set strongly to the shoulders, moving freely, not tied too closely under him; the feet thick and hard, toes arched; open, long, or thin feet most objectionable.
Hind Quarters - Very strong and muscular, long from hip to hock, not too wide but thick through, with no appearance of weakness, legs fairly
224 Modern Dogs.
under the dog, the hocks must move straight, cow hocks or hind legs bent outwards most objectionable.
Coat - Hard, straight, and wiry, free from silkiness anywhere; about 2 1/2 in. long on body, shorter on the head and ears, save a beard on the chin, short and hard on the legs, on no account curly; a soft, curly, or open coat objectionable.
Colour - Red-yellow, wheaten, or light brown inclining to grey; the best colour is orange tipped with red, the head slightly darker than the body, and the ears slightly darker than the head. The colour should not run out on the legs a dirty or dull dark red; a mahogany shade is objectionable.
Size - Height, dogs 16in. to 16�in., bitches I5�in. to 16in.; length from shoulder to set on of stern, dogs 14 8/4in. to 15� in., bitches 14m. to 15in.; girth of chest, 20 �in. to 21�in.; weight for dogs 2olb. to 241b., bitches 181b. to 22lb.
General Appearance - The Irish terrier should appear to be of good constitution, somewhat rough in outlook, but thoroughly symmetrical. As the stern is high set on it gives the hind quarters a somewhat jumped-up look; the movements are rather jerky behind, as if the hind quarters possessed the power of moving quicker than the fore-end - almost a hare-like movement; the expression should be wicked, but
The Irish Terrier. 225
intelligent, altogether a rough, merry, but game-looking terrier, not cobby nor too coarse.
Temperament - Temper very good, often shy, but always game. When at work, utterly without fear, and rather headstrong; when in the house, quiet, affectionate, and loving. It is a characteristic of the Irish terrier to thrust his nose into his master's hand, or rest the head on his foot, or against his legs".
Positive Points.
Value.
Head - 10
Teeth and eyes - 10
Ears - 10
Neck - 5
Legs and feet - 15
Chest and shoulders - 10
Back and loin and hind quarters - 15
Coat - 10
Colour - 5
General outline - 10
100
Negative Points.
Value.
White on toes or feet - 5
Mouth undershot or overshot - 20
Very much white on chest - 5
Coat curly or soft - 20
50
Disqualifying Points
Brindled in colour, nose cherry or flesh-coloured; white legs - indeed any white, either on the feet, chest, or elsewhere, is objectionable. At four or five years old a few white hairs, giving a grizzly appearance about the muzzle, is not detrimental.
Q
226 Modern Dogs
The following is the description issued by the Irish Terrier Club :
Positive Points.
Value.
Head, jaw, teeth, and eyes - 15
Ears - 5
Legs and feet - 10
Neck - 5
Shoulders and chest - 10
Back and loin - 10
Hind quarters and stern - 10
Cost - 15
Colour - 10
Size and symmetry - 10
100
Negative Points.
Value.
White nails, toes, and feet - minus - 10
Much white on chest " - 10
Ears cropped " - 5
Mouth undershot or cankered " - 10
Coat shaggy, curly, or soft " - 10
Uneven in colour " - 5
50
Disqualifying Points: Nose cherry or red. Brindle colour.
Descriptive Particulars.
Head - Long; skull flat, and rather narrow between ears, getting slightly narrower towards the eye; free from wrinkle; stop hardly visible, except in profile. The jaw must be strong and muscular, but not too full in the cheek, and of a good punishing length, but not so fine as a white English terrier's. 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 body, but short (about a quarter of an inch
The Irish Terrier. 227
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 - Must be black.
Eyes - A dark hazel colour, small, not prominent, and full of life, fire, and intelligence.
Ears - When uncut, small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well up on the head, and dropping forward closely to the cheek. The ear must be free of fringe, and the hair thereon shorter and generally darker in colour than the body.
Neck - Should be of a 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 corner of the ear, which is looked on as very characteristic.
Shoulders And Chest - Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into the back; the chest deep and muscular, but neither full nor wide.
Back And Loin - Body moderately long; back should be strong and straight, with no appearance of slackness behind the shoulders; the loin broad
Q 2
228 Modern Dogs.
and powerful and slightly arched; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and well ribbed back.
Hind Quarters - Well under the dog; should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles not much bent.
Stern - 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 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 body, but not so long.
Coat - Hard and wiry, free of softness or silki-ness, 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.
Colour - Should be 'whole-coloured,' the most preferable being bright red; next wheaten, yellow, and grey, brindle disqualifying. White sometimes
228 Modern Dogs.
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-coloured breeds.
Size And Symmetry - Weight in show condition, from 161b. to 241b. - say, 161b. to 22lb for bitches and 181b. to 241b. for dogs. The most desirable weight is 22lb. or under, which is a nice, stylish, and useful size. 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
230 Modern Dogs.
by a quiet caress-inviting appearance, and when one sees them endearingly, timidly pushing their heads into their masters' hands it is difficult to realise that on occasion, at the 'set-on,' they can prove they have the courage of a lion, and will fight on to the last breath in their bodies. They develop an extraordinary devotion to, and have been known to track their masters almost incredible distances"
This "club description" has given rise to a considerable amount of controversy, but I believe it was drawn up by the leading admirers of the Irish terrier 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. Unlike the Bedlington terrier, the Irish terrier is progressive so far as public estimation is concerned, and as I conclude this article I am told of a bond-fide offer of �220 for a couple of young dogs which have not yet been placed as the best of their variety.