It has been felt that the descriptive points, originally drawn up by Mr. Ridgway, and agreed to by twenty-four others, is scarcely elaborated enough for the increasing difficulties that arise in distinguishing between merit when the competition is close, and I therefore have pleasure in submitting remarks on the breed, and a more minute description of points drawn up by Mr. G. Jamison.

These I place following those of Mr. Ridgway as given in "Stonehenge's" work, and as I think there is a tendency to swerve from the original lines, which is very different from a necessary elaboration of points, I offer comments, explanatory of my own views, leaving readers interested in the breed to form their own conclusions.

As I understand the club are about to frame a standard and code of points, and that those of Mr. Jamison's may form the basis of discussion, I venture to point out what appears to me a danger of altering the character of the dog as at present recognised, and sure (if I may use an Irishism) that would be a sad thing to befall a dog so ancient and pure that he has been referred to in old manuscripts in Irish.

Mr. G. Jamison writes:

"The Irish terrier, as his name denotes, is the representative of the Emerald Isle, and specially suitable for his native damp country, being able to stand much more wet, cold, and fatigue than most other terriers; the coat is so hard and flat on the body that wet cannot penetrate, and, not being too long, does not hinder them in cover work. This breed is more used as vermin destroyers than for any other purpose, which principally accounts for breeding for size being neglected; however, within the last four or five years the breed has been much closer looked after, and at the present time there are a number of these dogs that in point of show qualities approach as near perfection as most breeds. There are a certain number of enthusiasts who have been writing this breed up in fancier papers as the only genuine working terrier; this, of course, is nonsense; at the same time it is a recognised fact that from their peculiar hardy and active habits they at least are deserving of a front rank among working terriers.

In the beginning of the year 1879 the Irish Terrier Club was inaugurated for the protection and breeding of pure specimens; the club has been the means of the breed being brought more prominently before the public.

"Head. Skull must be flat and moderately narrow between ears, getting narrower towards the eye, without much stop; the jaw must be strong and muscular, not too full in the cheek and of a fair punishing length, but not so fine as a black and tan or white English terrier; there should be a little falling away or chiselling out below the eye, so as not to give a greyhound appearance; teeth should be strong and level; nose must be black; eyes generally of a dark hazel colour, small, and full of life and fire; 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; as long as the present demand for terrier character is prevalent we are afraid the adversaries to cropping will have a poor chance in the show ring, for undoubtedly cropping gives character and smartness of appearance.

"Neck. Should be of a fair length and gradually widening towards the shoulders, well carried, and free of throatiness.

"Shoulders and chest. Shoulders must be fine, long, and sloping well into the back, the chest deep and muscular but not broad.

"Back and loin. The back should be strong and straight, with no appearance of slackness behind the shoulders; the loin broad and powerful and slightly arched; ribs well sprung and well ribbed back.

"The hind quarters. "Well under the dog, should be strong and muscular, the thighs powerful, hocks near the ground, stifles not much bent.

"Stern. Generally cut, 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 and round and moderately small, toes arched, and neither turned out nor in; black toe-nails are preferable, but of little value over light ones. A much greater objection is white toes; once white toes are thoroughly got rid of, there will be very few light coloured toenails; legs moderately long, with plenty of bone and muscle, must be straight viewed from all directions, the elbows working freely just clear of the side; 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 texture of coat as body, but not so long.

"Coat. Hard and wiry, free of softness or silkiness, not too long, perfectly straight and flat, no shagginess, and free of waviness, lock, or curl; the hair on head and legs is shorter than on body, but must be hard and wiry.

"Colour. Must be 'whole coloured,' the most preferable being bright red, next yellow, grey, or wheaten; white very objectionable on either chest or feet, in fact much white is a disqualifying point.

"Size and symmetry. Weight, in show condition, from 161b. to 241b., but in a short time we hope to see the largest reduced to under 221b., which is a nice, stylish, and useful size; the dog must present a gay, lively, and active appearance, lots of substance, at same time free of clumsiness, as speed and endurance as well as power are very essential.

"Disqualifying points: Nose white, cherry, or spotted to any considerable extent; mouth much undershot or cankered; colour brindle or much white; coat curly or soft."

First as to ears. Mr. Jamison implies that cropping gives a "terrier character "to a dog; this seems to need no contradiction, as the opinion is no more than one hastily made. Have the Skye, Bedlington, Dandie Dinmont, and Fox terriers no "terrier character?" and yet their ears are not cropped.