2 6 British Dogs. 



experience and frequent measurements. A deerhound of that height 

 would have a head at least llin. ; so, calculating on the same principles, 

 the Irish skulls would have been from dogs that only stood 33in. 

 Richardson says that this skull is superior in size to the others, which 

 would prove that the average must have been under SSgin., and we may 

 safely conclude that the height of these dogs varied from 31in. to 34in. 

 In support of this view the writer would point to the German boarhound ; 

 this dog has retained his character from a very remote age, and as he is 

 still used for the capture of fierce and large animals, the breed is not 

 likely to have been allowed to degenerate. The height of this breed 

 varies from 28in. to 33in., the latter being probably the limit to which 

 any race of dogs has been known to arrive. 



The writer has numerous extracts from various authors, and many en- 

 gravings from pictures by artists, dating from the middle of the sixteenth 

 century to the commencement of the present century ; but want of space 

 will not allow of their being introduced, though of much interest. From 

 these sources it is gathered clearly that the dog was such as has been 

 above stated ; and from these varied accounts the following detailed con- 

 clusions as to the appearance and dimensions of the breed are arrived at, 

 though perhaps they may not be considered as absolutely conclusive. 



General Appearance and Form. That of a very tall, heavy, Scotch 

 deerhound ; much more massive and majestic looking ; active, and tole- 

 rably fast, but somewhat less so than the present breed of deerhound ; the 

 neck thick in comparison to his form, very muscular and rather long. 



Shape of Head. Very long, but not too narrow, coming to a compara- 

 tive point ; nose not too small, and head gradually getting broader from 

 the same evenly up to the back of the skull ; much broader between the 

 ears than that of the present deerhound. 



Coat. Rough and hard all over body, tail, and legs, and of good length ; 

 hair on head long, and rather softer than that on body ; that under the 

 jaws to be long and wiry, also that over eyes. 



Colour. Black, grey, brindle, red, and fawn, though white and parti- 

 coloured dogs were common, and even preferred in olden times. 



Shape and Size of Ears. Small in proportion to size of head, and 

 half erect, resembling those of the best deerhounds ; if the dog is of 

 light colour a dark ear is to be preferred. 



