86 THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 



in stature and of slimmer form. Other authorities, 

 however, maintain vehemently that there is no evi- 

 dence to connect the two. Whatever may be the 

 truth", this is certain, that the variety created most 

 perseveringly by Captain Graham from 1862 up- 

 wards has at last reached a fixity of type, the product 

 being an extremely beautiful animal, combining great 

 size and strength with grace of movement. The 

 Great Dane traces which were very apparent not 

 many years ago have now practically disappeared. 

 Irish Wolfhounds now breed quite true to type, but, 

 probably owing to the in-breeding which must have 

 been resorted to to a large extent, they are difficult 

 to rear, being susceptible, like the Bloodhound, to 

 a very severe form of distemper. 



For show purposes, straightness of front leg and 

 free action are essential, but they are qualities not 

 easily obtained in any of the larger varieties. In 

 general appearance the dog should not be quite so 

 heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so 

 than the Deerhound, which in general characteristics 

 he should otherwise resemble. The minimum height 

 of dogs should be 32 inches and the weight 

 120 lb., of bitches 28 inches and 90 lb\ The 

 desire is to establish firmly a race that shall average 

 from 32 inches to 34 inches at the shoulder in 

 dogs, without losing power, activity, courage, and 

 symmetry. The other points are much like those 

 of the Deerhound. The recognised colours are grey, 

 brindle, red, black, pure white, or fawn. Large ears 

 hanging flat to the face are bad faults, so is a 

 hollow or quite straight back. 



