History
of the Irish Terrier
The origin of the Irish Terrier is an enigma that has fascinated fanciers
for years.
Breed Beginnings
Theories on the origin of the Irish Terrier have ranged from complimentary to derisive but never
lacking some Irish wit. Some claimed "he is as old as Erin's green hills," and
others scoffed and said "he is a mere mushroom." One theory holds that they emerged from the crossing of the black and
tan terrier to the Irish Wolfhound. The Irish Terrier, despite great difference
in size, does resemble the Irish Wolfhound, with the wiry coat, racing outline
and similar headpiece.
There has always been a purpose and a job for the existence of the breed, and
long before Irish Terriers were officially recognized, small, red, rough-coated
terriers formed an essential part of the life of Irish families. Here was a dog with the courage and
ability to guard its family against intruders and the instinct to kill the
vermin that abounded, while living in peace with the children, the livestock,
and the rest of the family. These very qualities are still to be found today.
Breed Recognition, Famous Dogs, and Owners
Several good reference books on the early history of the Irish Terrier
exist. One such book is The Irish Terrier by F. M. Jowett, the first edition
being printed in 1907, and further editions printed until 1941, and another is
The Complete Irish Terrier by E. S. Montgomery. The information given
below is based on these two books.
Questions and disagreements attended the emergence of the Irish Terrier as a
recognized breed and show dog. In addition to the obscurity of its origin, there
were differences of opinion over size, weight and color. In 1874 there were
classes for both large, (over 9lb in weight) and small (under 9lb in weight)
Irish Terriers at the Exhibition show held in Dublin. Dogs at that time were
normally shown with cropped ears. In March of 1879 The Irish Terrier Club was
founded in Dublin and then the amended and draft rules were sent to the English
Section of the Club and approved in London in April of that year. There was only
one Challenge Cup awarded then. It was for open competition and could be won
outright by anyone who won it five times. The subject of the cropping of ears
began to be raised in 1880 and continued with such momentum that it resulted in
the Irish Terrier Club becoming the instigator of the movement to ban the
cropping of ears of all breeds for exhibition in the British Isles. The Irish
Terrier Club ruled that Irish Terriers born after the end of 1889 and exhibited
at shows run under Kennel Club Rules had to have un-cropped ears.
George Jamison of Belfast, George Krehl (editor of the Stock-Keeper), and Dr R.B.
Carey (Hon. Secretary of the Irish Terrier Club for over 27 years) were prominent in supporting and exhibiting Irish Terriers in the
early years. Billy Graham of Belfast has to be credited for having done more to
advance the production of the show Irish Terrier than any other single
exhibitor. So great was the respect for Billy Graham, that in 1901, some members
of the Irish Terrier Club got up a subscription and procured a “William Graham
Memorial Challenge Trophy’ to be offered ‘once each year in Ireland and once
each year in Great Britain’. Billy Graham owned Champion Erin, a cropped bitch
from Co. Antrim that he found in a hamper before a Dublin Show. Mr. Waterhouse
of Dublin owned Killiney Boy, cropped and bred by Mr. Burke of Dublin. Killiney
Boy and Champion Erin are often termed the father and mother of the pedigree
Irish Terrier. George Jamison owned Sport, the first dog to make a name for the
Irish Terrier. The engraved portrait of this dog was used as an illustration
for the breed in 1875. Although this dog was not accepted as typical at that time
he was more similar to more modern Irish Terriers. Another early winner, a bitch
called Champion Spuds with cropped ears, was also owned by Mr. Jamison. At a
later date, Mr. Pim purchased her from the Jamison Kennels and also bought
Champion Erin.
Coleman Drayton purchased Champion Spuds, aged nine,
from Mr. Pim. She was the first famous dog to be imported to the United States. Her show
career had begun at Cork in 1876. James Watson owned the first Irish Terrier to
be shown in the United States, a bitch named Kathleen, imported in whelp to Champion Sporter (owned by
Mr. Graham). She was shown by Mr. Watson
in 1880. In 1881, the
Westminster Kennel Club was the first club in the United States to offer classes for Irish Terriers
and by 1889 there was a foundation of good stock to breed from. When Mr. Oscar Donner (first secretary of ITCA) brought out Milton Droleen, in 1895, she was
hailed as the first "American Flyer” and gained her championship in 1898. Marcus
Bruckheimer, a founder member of ITCA, brought out his American bred Champion
Masterpiece as a puppy in 1900. This dog became a champion in 1901 and was not
beaten until 1903 in New York by an import, Celtic Badger owned by Father
O’Gorman, Canada. Mr. Bruckheimer was active in breeding and showing for 40
years.
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