The Irish Wolfhound. 201 



very good with children, is the best domestic pet 

 of any big dog, and none more useful in a quiet 

 country place. He never had a case of anyone 

 being bitten by his Irish dogs, though, from their 

 size and appearance, they are a great deterrent 

 to bad characters and the tramping fraternity 

 generally. Some of the strains that contain the Great 

 Dane first cross are not quite of the same disposi- 

 tion as the others, being not nearly so dignified 

 in their demeanour, and inclined to steal whenever an 

 opportunity is afforded them so to do. They are 

 exuberantly affectionate, seldom at rest a moment, 

 but still not quarrelsome. The finer strains are 

 generally more lethargic, stately, and sedate; strong 

 in their attachments to an individual, and extremely 

 quiet and good-tempered with other dogs ; the 

 latter often approaching to softness. Still, when 

 roused and angry, they can give a good account of 

 themselves, and punish their enemy severely. In 

 no degree are they so quarrelsome as many of the 

 deerhounds of the present day. 



This is not a bad character at all for a dog that 

 is to be made an every-day companion either in 

 town or country; and certainly, so far as I have 

 studied and noticed the variety, I must agree with 

 the excellent testimonial the Irish wolfhound receives 

 from one who has kept him for half a generation. 



