IRISH GREYHOUND.—Canis familiaris. 
Unless excited by the sight of its game, or by anger, it is a very peaceable animal ; 
but when roused, exhibits a most determined spirit. In former days, when wolves and 
wild boars infested the Irish forests, this Dog was used for the purpose of extirpating 
those animals ; but in these days their numbers are comparatively few. When fighting, 
it takes its antagonist by the back, and shakes the life out of its foe by main strength. 
One of these Dogs measured sixty-one inches in total length ; twenty-eight and a half 
inches from the toe to the top of the shoulder, and thirty-five inches in eith. 
THE ScotcH GREYHOUND is still rougher in its coat than its Irish relative, but 
hardly so large in its make: a very fine example of these Dogs, of the pure Glengarry 
breed, measures twenty-eight inches in height, and thirty-four inches in girth, being a 
little smaller than the [vish Dog which was mentioned above. 
There seems to be but one breed of the Scotch Greyhound, although some families are 
termed Deerhounds, and others are only called Greyhounds. Each however, from being 
constantly employed in the chase of either deer or hare, becomes gradually fitted for the 
pursuit of its special quarry, and contracts certain habits which render it comparatively 
useless when set to chase the wrong animal. The Scotch Deerhound is possessed of 
better powers of scent than the Greyhound, and in chasing its game depends as much 
on its nose as on its eyes. And it is curious too, that although it makes use ofits 
olfactory powers when running, it holds its head higher from the ground than the 
Greyhound, which only uses its eyes. 
8.2 
