2O4 



CHAPTER XXX. 



THE IRISH WOLFHOUND 



BY GEORGE A. GRAHAM, DUKSLEY. 



IT is with a certain amount of diffidence that this essay is entered upon, as there is a widely- 

 spread impression that the breed to be treated of is extinct. That we are in possession of 

 the breed in its original integrity is not pretended ; at the same time it is confidently believed 

 that there are strains now existing tracing back, more or less clearly, to the original breed ; 

 and it also appears to be tolerably certain that our modern Deerhound is descended from that 

 noble animal, and gives us a very fair idea of what he was, though undoubtedly considerably 

 his inferior in size and power. Had it not been for these facts, the courage to write this 

 chapter might have been wanting ; but they appear to be so clear to the writer, that he can 

 proceed, with the feeling that most of his readers will perceive that he is amply justified in 

 undertaking a history and description of this very magnificent example of the canine race 

 that, indeed, may be said to have been its king. 



There have been several very interesting and clever essays written on this subject. Two 

 of the ablest and most valuable were written by Mr. A. McNeill of Colonsay, in 1838, and 

 Mr. H. D. Richardson, in 1841. These treat exclusively of the Irish Wolfhound, though in 

 Mr. McNeill's case it is more to show the identity of the breed with the modern Deerhound 

 that he writes. Richardson, on the other hand, proceeds to show us that, though undeniably 

 of the same stamp, the Irish dog was far superior in size and power, and that from him is 

 descended, in these later days, the modern Deerhound. Both these authors have shown 

 considerable ability and ingenuity in their arguments, and no one can deny that they are 

 worthy of every consideration. Richardson would appear to be in error on some points, but 

 in the main his ideas would certainly appear to be reasonable and correct. That Richardson 

 was highly qualified to offer a sound and most valuable opinion on the subject is proved 

 by the very admirable manner in which he has treated of and described almost every known 

 breed of dog, whether British or foreign. That we have in the Deerhound the modern 

 representative of the old Irish Wolfdog is patent. Of less stature, less robust, and of 

 slimmer form, the main characteristics of the breed remain ; and in very exceptional 

 instances specimens occur which throw back to and resemble in a marked manner the 

 old stock from which they have sprung. It is not probable that our remote ancestors 

 arrived at any very high standard as to quality or looks. Strength, stature, and fleetness 

 were the points most carefully cultivated at any rate, as regards those breeds used in the 

 capture of large and fierce game. It is somewhat remarkable that whilst we have accounts 

 of all the noticeable breeds from a remote period, including the Irish Wolfdog, we do not 

 find any allusion to the Deerhound, save in writings of a comparatively recent date, which 

 would in a measure justify us in supposing that the Deerhound is the modern representative 

 of that superb animal. 



It is a matter of history that this dog was well known to and highly prized by the 



