278 Modern Dogs. 



lied 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 quarrelsome for 

 they are quite as reliable in temper as the modern 

 deerhound. 



This is not a bad character for a dog that one 

 requires to be 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 excel- 

 lent testimonial the Irish wolfhound receives from 

 one who has kept him for half a generation. 



This dog has been recommended as likely to be 

 useful with " big game," not elephants and hippo- 

 potami, but with wolves, hyenas, and such inferior 

 animals as are to be found in South Africa and other 

 great hunting countries. Whether they would do so 

 well as either the pure Dane or the Deerhound is an 

 open question. They are not sufficiently smart and 

 active to cope successfully with powerful beasts of 



