CHAPTER XV 

 THE PYRENEAN WOLFHOUND 



UNDER various names, such as Pyrenean Sheepdogs, Pyrenean 

 Mastiffs, etc., dogs of the Wolfhound type are sometimes met with 

 at our shows. These are of stronger build, and shorter, in proportion 

 to height, than the Borzoi, and shaggy. The whole head is thicker, 

 and the skull rounder, although the muzzle is fairly elongated, and 

 not approaching to the truncated Mastiff type. The ears are small, 

 pointed, and dropping. From an English point of view, so far as 

 general conformation goes, the dog suggests a cross between a Collie 

 and a Deerhound, and about 6516. to yolb. in weight. It is not of 

 very prepossessing appearance, and is evidently a dog built rather 

 for use than for ornament. The shoulders are oblique. 



The Pyrenean Wolfhounds look well fitted to tend mountain 

 sheep, and to defend them from the attacks of such predatory 

 animals as wolves and foxes. Their coats are thick and shaggy, 

 especially in the vicinity of the neck, and very wiry, frequently of a 

 rufous colour, slightly tawny, and of a lighter shade on throat, chest, 

 and lower parts. The height appears to range from about 2 Sin. to 

 3oin. The tail is rather long and tufted. 



It is thought by many that the Pyrenean Wolfhound was resorted 

 to to resuscitate the St. Bernard, at a time when that breed of 

 dog was nearly extinct; and many St. Bernards, of good pedigree, 

 that have attained to some notoriety here, by their general con- 

 formation and length of skull and muzzle, give substantial support 

 to that view. 



The Pyrenean Wolfhound appears at our shows in the class for 

 any breed of foreign dog not specially classified in the schedule, 

 which many foreign breeds, from their great popularity, now are. 

 From the specimens awarded prizes as good representatives of the 

 breed, it is evident no very clear idea of their special characteristics 

 prevails with the judges, for dogs very different from each other 

 have won. Well-known prize-winners have been Captain S. M. 

 Thomas's Bilboa (K.C.S.B. 18,328), Miss A. Bodley's Congleton 



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