Learn key elements of the Irish Terrier breed standard, including appearance, temperament, movement, and judging tips for breeders.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, November 2018 issue.
You walk into the Best in Breed show ring where 20-25 handsome Irish Terriers stand before you with carefully groomed coats, beautiful level top lines and erect tails. All of them demonstrate the self-confidence in personalities that the breed demands. They pose majestically when noticing each other and show strong interest and anticipation as the judging occurs. What parameters do you use in deciding the winning dogs and bitches? The Official Standard of the Irish Terrier provides judges with a blueprint of an ideal Irish Terrier and additional information in this area may be found elsewhere, including The Irish Terrier Club of America 1997 Handbook, Centennial Edition. This article, however, will focus on certain conformation and temperament features that are major elements of the Breed Standard and key components of breed type – the total of all characteristics by which a dog is recognized as a member of its breed. The areas discussed herein include overall appearance, temperament and expression, size, headpiece and eyes, neck and shoulders and movement.
The Irish Terrier Breed Standard relating to “Overall Appearance” stresses the importance of such an element and specifically provides that: “The overall appearance of the Irish Terrier is important. In conformation, he must be more than the sum of his parts. He must be all-of-a-piece; a balanced vital picture of symmetry, proportion and harmony; …convey character; …be active, lithe and wiry in movement, with great animation; sturdy and strong in substance and bone structure, but at the same time free of clumsiness, for speed, power and endurance are most essential. He must be neither ‘cobby’ nor ‘cloddy,’ but should be built on lines of speed, with graceful, racing outline.”
The Breed Standard in the area of “Overall Appearance” immediately contains one of only two uses in that Standard of the term “important,” and then makes repeated reference to the importance of very similar terms: “balance,” “symmetry,” “harmony,” “graceful” and “free from clumsiness.” The general impression must therefore be one of balance and moderation, with symmetrical lines and no exaggerated features. The breed should also be neither cloddy (thick, low set, comparative heavy), nor cobby (Significantly short bodied or compact); but instead should be formed on lines of speed, with a graceful racy outline. As a judge first looks at the Irish in the ring, his/her eye should focus upon those with the best balance and symmetry, whose profiles are upright with heads held relatively high and not severely forward, with deep muscular chests and no noticeable prosternum, arched necks seemingly flowing into well laid back shoulders and strong straight toplines.
The tail should be set rather high on the back, generally straight, with plenty of “dog behind the tail.” In marked contrast to the breed standards for many other terrier breeds, the Irish Terrier Standard contains no specific indication of the preferred length of the dog between the withers and the tail set, nor any comparison of that length with the measurement between the withers and the ground. It only states that the “short back is not characteristic of the Irish Terrier and is extremely objectionable,” and indicates that the body “should be moderately long,” without any indication of what constitutes a “short back” or “moderately long.” Given those definitional absences, how should a judge make a determination of whether the dog or bitch which he/she is examining does or does not have the “extremely objectionable” short back? It would seem that a judge, in making decisions in the above areas, should return his/her emphasis to the repeated references in the Standard to “balance,” “proportion” and “symmetry,” and not penalize an Irish Terrier for having a “short back,” unless it is clear that such a back renders the dog not in balance, out of proportion, or asymmetrical.
So long as a possible “short back” does not inhibit the dog’s movement or impact any of the above standards, those elements generally should trump any objectionable nature of a perceived “short back.” Similarly, so long as the Irish Terrier has the elemental values of balance and related matters set forth above, he should not be judged to be “short backed” if it is nonetheless apparent that he is “built on lines of speed, with a graceful, racing outline,” where “racing” should be defined as strong, powerful yet limber, without being too sturdy or heavy. Certainly, Irish Terriers should not have the short backs characteristic of Fox Terriers; at the same time, they should not be penalized in that area if the other above-cited elements contained in Breed Standard exist, in view of the relative ambiguity of the Standard in this area.
Finally in this Overall Appearance area, the Breed Standard calls for an Iris Terrier to “be all-of-a-piece,” “balanced,” symmetrical and “sturdy and strong in substance and bone structure,” but at the same time his most essential characteristics should be “speed, power and endurance.” This Breed Standard combination of balance, strength, power, endurance and speed are indicative of the elements of a well-rounded terrier, who on first appearance should fill your eye and simply demand that you look at him. The Irish Terrier should make his own any ring into which he enters and should clearly show “fire and determination”—elements which the Standard indicates are of “utmost importance.”
The Breed Standard for Irish Terriers describes “Temperament,” and its importance in the breed, as follows: “Temperament—The temperament of the Irish Terrier reflects his early background; he was family pet, guard dog and hunter. He is good tempered, spirited and game. It is of the utmost importance that the Irish Terrier show fire and animation. There is a heedless, reckless pluck about the Irish Terrier which is characteristic and which, coupled with the headlong dash, blind to all consequences, with which he rushes at his adversary, has earned the breed the proud epithet of ‘Daredevil.’ He is of good temper, most affectionate and absolutely loyal to mankind. Tender and forbearing with those he loves, this rugged, stout-hearted terrier will guard his master and children with utter contempt for danger or hurt. His life is one continuous and eager offering of loyal and faithful companionship and devotion. He is ever on guard and stands between his home and all that threatens.”
The subject of temperament takes up one of the largest elements of the Breed Standard and is a highly important element in the judging of the breed. Additionally, that “Temperament” section also contains numerous references to the proper “Expression” of the Irish Terrier. Indeed, the Breed Standard states in this area that “It is of the utmost importance that the Irish Terrier show fire and animation.” But how does one measure such “fire and animation,” temperament and expression within the controlled confines of the show ring? In addition to the usual ways of such measurement via the judge’s walk down the line of entries and upon the dog’s return in judging from the “down and back,” there are at least three other ways for a judge to make such an assessment. First and clearly best in pursuit of that goal, a judge should not hesitate in sparring at minimum what he/she views as the competition’s top dogs and top bitches as an aid in determining temperament and expression and thus his/her breed placements.
Sparring allows the dogs to show on their own and to react to the other dogs. It allows the Irish to demonstrate “spirit, fire and animation” and his “on guard” nature, while at the same time showing his “good temper” (twice mentioned in this element of the Standard), his “heedless, reckless, pluck,” and his devotion to his master and family. Generally, sparring of Irish Terriers should be conducted separately by the gender of the dog, with the judge calling out two or three at a time from each gender, telling the handlers to “let them look at each other.” Dogs in sparring generally should be facing each other and should not be less than three feet away from each other. The judge should also leave room in the ring to allow his/her observation of all of the sparring dogs from all angles. The judge should allow the sparred dogs time to look at each other and to provide the desired reaction.
Neither overt aggression nor shyness is the proper reaction during the spar. The Irish Terrier should present a commanding presence in the ring during the spar and be willing to stand his/her ground when facing a competitor. The dog should appear comfortable and confident and show the necessary fire and animation in the spar. Sparring is the best way to test temperament and proper expression and other stacking, baiting or cajoling cannot best show such elements in the dog. He can only do that on his own and the spar provides him the best opportunity to do so. A second way of measuring Irish Terrier temperament is to allow the dogs when initially lined up in the ring to decide which direction they wish to stand vis-a-vis their fellow contenders; i.e., not require them all to face in the same direction. The judge has a better opportunity to see the real dog when the Irish are able to face and watch each other while in the ring. A third way to measure temperament—and in my view the least effective—is for the judge to regularly but occasionally watch the other dogs in line in the ring for short time periods while he/she is judging another dog.
Since dogs not being judged at a particular time have the ability at such times to watch and sometimes interact with other dogs in the ring, that action likewise may help a judge make determinations in the area of temperament. Certain elements contained in the Irish Terrier Breed Standard also address the subject of Expression. The eyes are to be dark brown and not prominent and “full of life, fire and intelligence, showing an intense expression.” The ears are to be moderately thick, small and V-shaped, set well on the head with the top of the folded ear well above the skull level and with the ears dropping forward close to the outside corner of the eye. These elements, as well as the length, depth and breadth of the head discussed further below and the black coloring of the nose, should fully accentuate the fearless, spirited, reckless nature of the Irish Terrier expression and should be demonstrated to the judge at a first glance.
Although the size of the Irish Terrier has been debated for many years, the actual language of the Breed Standard in that area is relatively clear.
The height at the withers should be about 18 inches and the “most desired” weight is 27 pounds for the dog and 25 pounds for the bitch. Despite the relative clarity of these elements of the Breed Standard, most of the Irish shown today are larger. This may be due in part to the Standard’s recognition that the above height and weight figures “serve as a guide to both breeder and judge,” and “weight is not the last word in judgment.” Certainly, so long as the overall appearance of the oversized (or undersized) dog or bitch remains “strong and sturdy,” sets forth a “balanced, vital picture of symmetry, proportion and harmony,” maintains a “graceful, racing outline,” and is neither “cobby nor cloddy,” that dog or bitch likely meets the standard, given the “wiggle room” provided by inclusion of the above height and weight language in the Standard. At the same time, however, judges should keep in mind that Irish Terriers were never intended to be big dogs. With an ideal height of 18 inches, they are intended to be only 2½ inches taller at the withers than the Smooth Fox Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier and a full five inches shorter than the male Airedale Terrier.
The words “most desirable” and “approximately” contained in the Standard concerning weight and height should be viewed as advisory and it would be improper to penalize an otherwise outstanding Irish Terrier in the ring because he/she was an inch or two or a pound or two above the standard. That said, dogs and bitches now measuring to the standard appear relatively somewhat small and it would be improper for the breed to become universally over-sized. In general, the height and weight elements of the Standard, while not determinative, should be strived for by judges and breeders. Irish Terriers should come as close as possible to these height and weight standards. But so long as the other elements of the Standard are met, those advisory Breed Standard elements should not alone be the determinative factors in judges’ decisions.
Among the categories it addresses, the Irish Terrier Breed Standard devotes the largest amount of Standard description to the breed’s head. The Standard also briefly addresses the Irish Terrier eyes. The Standard provides in those areas as follows: “HEAD—Long, but in nice proportion to the rest of the body; the skull flat, rather narrow and long; the stop well defined but not abrupt; the foreface, long and rather square, tapering slightly from eyes to nose; the nose black and large; the mouth and lips close fitting, without looseness, and the teeth strong. The ears are moderately thick, small and V-shaped, set well on the head with the top of the folded ear well above the skull level and with the ears dropping forward close to the outside corner of the eye.” EYES—Dark brown, full of life, fire and intelligence, not prominent.
The major feature of the Irish Terrier head is its overall long and balanced proportions, with no single feature overemphasized. The narrow, flat skull gives way to a long foreface, tapering slightly from the eyes to the nose. Both elements work together to achieve a balanced headpiece that, when combined with the dark eyes and black nose, imparts an expression of intelligence, animation, fire and spirit. The ears, described as small, V-shaped and moderate in thickness, complete the picture, providing another necessary feature of the alert, fearless, spirited expression for which the Irish Terrier is known. When evaluating the heads of Irish Terriers, judges should focus on the overall proportions, length, and balance of the head. The foreface should taper slightly but should not be so narrow as to appear weak or delicate. Instead, it should convey a sense of strength and substance. The eyes should be dark brown and not prominent, ensuring they contribute to the overall expression without detracting from it. The black nose is an important part of this expression and should not be overlooked during judging. While the head should not be excessively large or heavy, it should convey the intelligence and animation characteristic of the breed.
The neck should be muscular, arched, and blending smoothly into the shoulders. The shoulders should be well laid back and long, forming a smooth, graceful line from the neck into the body. The forelegs should be straight, with strong bone structure and muscularity. The balance between the neck and shoulders is critical, as it sets the tone for the rest of the dog’s movement. When evaluating the neck and shoulders, judges should look for a neck that is strong, arched, and blends seamlessly into the shoulders. The shoulders themselves should be long and well laid back, contributing to the graceful, racy outline that is characteristic of the breed.
The movement of the Irish Terrier is one of the most important aspects of its conformation. The breed standard emphasizes that the dog should move freely, with great animation, and in a manner that reflects its agile, active nature. The movement should be smooth and effortless, with a fluid and balanced stride. Judges should observe the dog’s movement from all angles, paying attention to the reach of the forelegs and the drive of the hindquarters. The Irish Terrier should exhibit a strong, energetic gait, with a sense of purpose and confidence. A well-moving Irish Terrier will demonstrate its natural grace and athleticism, which are essential for the breed’s functionality and overall appearance. When judging movement, focus on the fluidity of the dog’s stride and the balance between its fore and hind limbs. The dog should exhibit a powerful, yet graceful movement that complements its overall conformation.
This article has generally not highlighted the perceived faults of the Irish Terrier breed, in that I believe that we as breeders and judges often spend too little time on the positive qualities of any breed and too much time on perceived faults. Breed type should be more important than minor individual faults. That said, the best dog should be the one closest to all of the elements of the Breed Standard, the one who most impresses us when viewed against elements of that Standard and the one who convinces us that he/she is the best based upon his/her actions and bearing. It is hoped that the above discussion of some of the most important elements of the Irish Terrier Breed Standard will assist judges and breeders in determining and producing the best possible Irish Terrier—whether it be in conformation competition or in breeding and raising this wonderful breed.
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