POINTS OF THE IKISH WOLFDOG. 213 



sharp up to the eyes, and then suddenly broad and lumpy, as is often the case with dogs bred 

 between Greyhound and Mastiff. 



Coat. There can be little doubt that from the very nature of the work the dog was called 

 upon to do this would be of a rough and probably somewhat shaggy nature, and to this end 

 points the evidence gained from Arrian second century who leaves no doubt in our mind that 

 the great Greyhound of his day was rough in coat ; also from the ancient Irish harp, now 

 preserved in Trinity College, Dublin, which is ornamented with a figure of the Irish Wolfhound, 

 rough-coated. Sir J. Browne's dogs were rough and shaggy ; Mr. O'Toole's dog was rough ; also 

 Hamilton Rowan's. The former Earls of Caledon owned Irish Wolfdogs, which were rough ; 

 added to which, in former days all Greyhounds were, we have every reason to believe, rough ; 

 certainly the larger varieties, as is now without exception the case. So it is with justice concluded 

 that the coat was rough, hard and long all over body, head, legs, and tail ; hair on head long, 

 and rather softer than that on body, standing out boldly over eyes ; beard under jaws being also 

 very marked and wiry. 



Colour. Black, grey, brindle, red, and fawn, though white dogs were esteemed in former 

 times, as is several times shown us indeed, they were often preferred but for beauty the dark 

 colours should be cultivated. 



Ears. Small in proportion to size of head, and erect as in the smooth Greyhound. If dark 

 in colour it is to be preferred. 



The Tail should be carried with an upward curve only, and not be curled, as is the 

 case with many Greyhounds. 



Size. We may safely deduce that the height of these dogs varied from 32 to 34 

 inches, and even 35 inches in the dogs, probably from 29 to 31 inches in the bitches. The 

 other dimensions would naturally be about as follows for well-shaped and true-formed dogs. 

 Girth of chest Dogs, 38 to 44 inches ; bitches, 32 to 34 inches. Weight in Ibs. Dogs, 115 to 

 140; bitches, 90 to 115. Girth of fore-arm Dogs, 10 to 12 inches; bitches, 8J to 10 inches. 

 Length of head Dogs, I2i to 14 inches ; bitches, II to 12 inches. Most modern authors and all 

 practical lovers of the canine race whom the writer has consulted are agreed that the foregoing 

 is the correct type of dog beyond question ; and although some differ slightly as to the 

 comparative bulk and power of the dog, the difference is small when dispassionately looked at. 



To any one who has well considered the subject such conclusions are inevitable, and this 

 impression has been manifestly handed down to us for generations. 



Although several writers have incorrectly confounded the Great Dane with the Irish 

 Wolfhound, yet it is probable that the two breeds were not infrequently crossed ; indeed, 

 it is possible that in foreign countries the Irish Wolfhound may have degenerated into the 

 Great Dane and other varieties, as it has into the Deerhound with us. That such was the 

 case Buffon does more than suggest. Major Gamier, who gave the subject considerable 

 attention at one time, rather holds to this opinion, and says " that whilst the Highland 

 Deerhound is the most correct type, the German Boarhound has best retained the size, though 

 at the expense of character." 



These facts may possibly have influenced erroneously the opinions of some of the 

 naturalists of the latter end of the last century, and will also account for the fact of Lord 

 Altamont's dogs having been put forward as Irish Wolfhounds, which they certainly were not. 



The last wolf was supposed to have been killed in Ireland about 1710. 



Richardson says :" Though I have separated the Irish Wolfdog from the Highland 

 Deerhound and the Scottish Greyhound, I have only done so partly in conformity with 



