Coat - The Irish Terrier coat, in my opinion, is worthy of more than fifteen points [a reference to when the breed standard included a scale of points] and is nearly as important as the head and expression. The proper coat is such that without it, the Terrier cannot be described as an Irish Terrier. There is probably not one judge in ten who realizes and appreciates the fact that the Irish Terriers is not a single-coated dog. The double coat is just as essential to the Irish Terrier as is the proper expression. The coat must be dense and wiry in texture, giving a broken appearance and lying very close to the body, with the hairs growing so closely and strongly together that when parted with the fingers, the skin is scarcely visible. At the base of the stiff outer coat, there should be a growth of finer softer hair somewhat lighter in color than the top coat; this coat is termed the "undercoat".

Difficult to put into words and explain, yet readily discernable to the competent judge and breeder is the correct broken coat. For purposes of clarification, seven of the most common types are described; each coat is distinct from the other:

One: The "smooth" coat. This type is much the same as is found in the Smooth Fox Terrier; specimens bearing it are without undercoat, leg, or face furnishings.

Two: The "flat" coat. This is a hard, close fitting coat, the hairs being of somewhat greater length than in the smooth coat. There is usually a sparse undercoat, although it thins out greatly on the back and loins. Generally, head furnishings are plentiful, although of poor quality and growing to great length. The leg hair is of quality similar to that on the face, but is usually quite sparse.

Three: The "open" coat. This coat carries about as much undercoat as the "flat" coat. It is usually accompanied by a wealth of leg and face furnishings, especially beard, which may grow quite dense and long. When the coat is maturing, it takes on a certain quality of harshness, but when it comes into full bloom, it does not "hold" but rather, "blows" in a fortnight. It then has an open appearance and is not unlike cat fur in texture, spring, and character. Usually this coat will be wheaten or red-wheaten in color. This is the type so often seen in present day [1958] show-rings and is responsible for the "tight-skinned" appearance of the particular Irisher, for the coat has not yet reached the desired length.

Four: The "soft" or "silky" coat. This type needs very little comment, for it is easily recognized even by the novice. The coat is soft, silky, and devoid of any undercoat. Usually it is wheaten in color and is not under any circumstances to be tolerated in the show ring or breeding kennel.

Five: The "curly" coat. This coat is as a rule, found on dark red specimens. It is very harsh, forming tight rows of curls on the back and neck. Specimens so possessed are usually devoid not only of undercoat, but of leg and face furnishings as well, the result being a fine-boned, snipey appearance.

Six: The "wavy" coat. This coat has caused much confusion for many years, with judges and breeders alike considering it to be the correct broken coat. It is not! It can be considered a good coat, since it usually carries a good sound undercoat and a moderate amount of leg and face furnishings, generally of good quality. However it must be regarded with care, for if specimens possessed of wavy coats are mated for two successive generations, the following generation will produce an abundance of curly coats.

Seven: The "broken" coat. This is the only correct coat. It has, first of all, an undercoat as dense, soft, and even as sealskin-- it is usually accompanied by a moderate amount of leg and face furnishings, which are usually dense and wiry in appearance. The coat is luxuriant, dense, thick, and full of life and spring. When developing it appears similar to the flat coat, but upon maturing it takes on an appearance of unevenness, and "breaks" appear in the surface-- hence its name. It is found in all the varying shades ranging from wheaten to mahogany red.

As a key to good coats, it can be stated that a good coat is always accompanied by a sound outer coat and vice versa.

Color - The Irish Terrier is a whole-colored animal. The color may be bright red, red-wheaten, or golden red. Other than being whole-colored and even in color, color should not be considered of paramount importance, It should at all times be subordinate to coat quality. Everything being equal, the dog bearing the best quality coat should win, regardless of the shade of the color, whether it be pure wheaten, on the one hand, or mahogany, on the other.

It is perfectly true that, as pointed out in the Standard of Perfection, the bright red, red-wheaten, or golden red colors are preferable. This is so only because of the fact that a much higher ratio of top-class progeny can be produced from dogs of these shades. However, the pure wheaten or mahogany red specimens should not be penalized as such in the show ring. In fact, it is a great achievement for a breeder to produce a really good coated wheaten, and once produced, it is a thing of beauty that should be justly rewarded.