“THE SIZE OF THE IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT CONTROVERSY. The standard says about 18 inches and 25 to 27 lbs., but now many Irish are far larger.”
the dog. It is long, but balanced, not full in cheek or bumpy over the eyes. Th e ears are set high, and the tips fall to the outside cor- ner of the eye. Th e teeth are not overshot or undershot. Th e eyes are dark brown. Th e beard should present finish to the foreface and a goat-like beard is undesirable. Th is describes the construction of the head, but the important part is the expression. When the Irish is looking at a person or at food or a toy, he is happy and has a kind expres- sion. In the show ring, he will pull himself up and show a characteristic of a true Irish, with all of the “devil-may-care” attitude and expression, which is so necessary and desirable in this breed. Th e body of the Irish is di ff erent than most other terriers. Th ey are not short- backed, like a wire-fox, but have length and a distinct tuck-up at the loin. Th e neck is of fair length, gracefully arched, and blend into the shoulders. Th e shoulders should be layed back, sloping into the back. Th e chest should be deep but not wide or well-sprung and curve upward from the lowest point of the tuck-up. Th e chest should not be lower than the elbows. Th e back must be strong and straight, and free from an appearance of slackness or “dip” behind the shoulders. Th e loin should be strong and muscular and arch slightly as it curves over the thighs and not the back or topline of the dog. Th is muscular curve gives strength to the lon-
ger back. Th e croup should be straight and short, giving the tail an upward set, with plenty of rear extending beyond the tail, (known as the back porch). Th e thighs are strong and muscular, hocks near the ground and moderate bend of stifle. Feet should be moderately small, toes arched and turned, neither out nor in. Th e legs straight and moderately long and more straight forward when moving. Th e stifles should not turn ourtward. “Cowhocks” are intolerable. Th e coat should be dense and wiry in texture, having a broken appearance. At the base of the sti ff outer coat there should be soft hair that is lighter in color. Almost all colors are acceptable, but many dogs are colored unnaturally for the ring. Th e IT coat is banded and is not a singular color. On hair conver- gent lines, as on the neck and rear, there should be variations in color, usually they are lighter in these areas. A patch of white on the chest is permissible. Th e furnish- ings should be dense and wiry, without being so full as to hide the shape of the legs. Th ere should not be excess hair any- where on this breed. If you see an area of an IT that has more or longer hair, exam- ine the structure closely, as this can be a deceptive grooming practice. Th e size of the IT has been a constant controversy. Th e standard says about 18 inches and 25 to 27 lbs., but now many
Irish are far larger. Wickets are no longer in use either, so it is a personal choice to include the element of desired size. So by using these methods, it should assist you in seeing these important ele- ments of the Irish Terrier. Th e judges are the true gate-keepers of the dog society. Judges issue their evaluations of dogs based upon the order of the awards given in a ring. It is a public statement of their opin- ion of the dogs they are judging that day. Th is is why breeders show their dogs, to get opinions for their value of breeding pur- poses. So spend some time with a terrier or two and get to know the real personality of the di ff erent breeds. I hope some of that time can be spent with an Irish.
BIO Cory Rivera has been active in Irish Terriers since 1962. A member of ITCA since 1966. Served as secretary and many years on the Board of
Governors. She has bred or co-bred over 70 champions. Most were shown and groomed by her. Other breeds that she bred and groomed were Kerry Blue Ter- riers, Smooth Fox Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs and Lowchen, all under the kennel name of Trackways.
“THE COAT SHOULD BE DENSE AND WIRY IN TEXTURE, HAVING A BROKEN APPEARANCE.”
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