THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 113 



She was as black as her brother Champion Selwood Dhouran at 

 birih } at the age of six months she was a medium shade of fawn 

 grizzle, while her brother remained .black. Mr. Hood Wright also 

 states that he has known of a case of a red-fawn dog (but one with a 

 blue skin) that after he had attained the age of two years became 

 a blue. The dog was sold as a fawn, but the next time that the 

 late owner met the animal he was an undoubtedly natural blue. 



In selecting a puppy, the head-points, as noted below, should 

 be carefully considered, especially as to length, position, and size 

 of ears. The head as a whole must not promise to be too Deer- 

 houndy on the one hand, or Great Dane-like on the other. Other 

 points that should be looked for are a deep chest, straight legs, large, 

 rounded feet, a long neck, and of course a well-arched loin. 



Of late Irish Wolfhound type has been freely criticised in the 

 Press, and the more practical fanciers have advocated a readjust- 

 ment of points, as it were, with a view to strengthening those 

 characteristics that appear weak. With that end in view a most 

 commonsense letter appeared in Our Dogs over the simple nom 

 de guerre of " Breeder." In it the writer not only suggests a suitable 

 scale of point-values for the breed, but also gives an idea of how 

 an ideal hound should be made up. The description therein 

 given so closely accords with our own that we give it for the benefit 

 of those that are beginning : 



Height, 34in. ; weight, I4olb. ; girth, 38in. ; head, I4in., avoiding the 

 broad forehead, and with strong muzzle. Eyes small and dark. Ears neatly 

 tucked and cocked. Body long, deep, and supple. Tail long and lashing. Neck 

 clean and arched. Hooks well let down, and without a suspicion of "cow." 

 Legs like parallel rulers. Coat rough and wiry. Beard and eyebrows plentiful. 

 Colour, any met with in the Deerhound. Muscular all over, of course. 



The Irish Wolfhound boasts an excellent club to watch over 

 its interests, and the following is the description of the breed as 

 drawn up by that body : 



General Appearance. The Irish Wolfhound should not be quite so heavy 

 or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the Deerhound, which in 

 general type he should otherwise resemble. Of great size and commanding 

 appearance, very muscular, strongly though gracefully built, movements easy and 

 active ; head and neck carried high ; the tail carried with an upward sweep with 

 a slight curve towards the extremity. 



The Minimum, Height and Weight of dogs should be 3iin. and I2olb. ; of 

 bitches 28in. and Qolb. Anything below this should be debarred from competi- 

 tion. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body, 

 is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race that 

 shall average from 32in. to34in. in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, 

 courage, and symmetry. 



Head. Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised, and very 

 little indentation between the eyes. Skull not too broad. Muzzle long and 

 moderately pointed. Ears small and Greyhound-like in carriage. 



