The following are the scale of points and description of the true Irish Terrier, as drawn up by the Irish Terrier Club: -

Head

Long; skull flat, and rather narrow between ears, getting slightly narrower towards the eye; free from wrinkles; 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. 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 ¼ in. 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

Small and V-shaped, of moderate thickness, set well 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 a fair length and gradually widening towards the shoulders, well carried, and free from throatiness. There is generally a slight sort of frill visible at each side of the neck, running nearly to the corner of the ear.

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 and powerful and slightly arched; ribs fairly sprung, rather deep than round, and well ribbed back.

Hindquarters

Should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles moderately bent.

Stern

Generally docke; should be free of fringe or feather, but 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 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 from feather, and covered, like the head, with as hard a texture of coat as body, but not so long.

Coat

Hard and wiry, free from 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 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 in all self-coloured breeds.

Size And Symmetry

The most desirable weight in show condition is, for a dog 241b., and for a bitch 22lb. The dog must present an active, lively, lithe, and wiry appearance; lots of substance, at the same time free from 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 unto the last breath in their bodies. They develop an extraordinary devotion for their masters, and have been known to track them almost incredible distances.

SCALE OF POINTS