REVIVAL OF THE IKISII WOLFDOG. 215 



Maior Gamier at one time turned his attention to Irish Wolfhounds, and produced one 

 or two dogs of great size, but he was unable to carry his projects to an end, being sud- 

 denly ordered to the Cape. He was thoroughly convinced that the recovery of this breed 

 in its pristine grandeur and magnificence was only a question of time if the would-be 

 breeders were steadfast in their endeavours. He had laid down for himself certain rules in 

 breeding, which are given : 



" I. Quality is very much more dependent on the dam than on the sire. 



" 2. Bone or size, on the contrary, is far more dependent on the sire. 



" 3. Colour is almost wholly dependent on the sire. 



" 4. The coat is almost wholly independent of the sire. 



" 5. Muscular development and general form is chiefly dependent on the dam. 



"6. All these are modified by the fact that the purer bred will (other things being the 

 same) influence the progeny more than the other. 



" 7. Every decided cross increases the size by one or two inches. This is merely an opinion 

 formed from my own experience and observation ; but I have never seen it carried out far 

 enough to make me certain in my own mind about it. 



" I, 2, 3, 4, and 5 I have not merely met with as the opinions of other people, but I 

 have proved them incontestably myself. With regard to No. I ' Quality ' I mean ' blood,' 

 nervous development, vigour, energy, and character." 



He concludes by saying : " Anyhow, with Ulmer Boarhounds and Russian Wolfhounds 

 (of course, in conjunction with the Deerhound and such of the Irish breed as are in existence) 

 I believe it is quite possible to re-establish the old breed of Irish Greyhounds in all their 

 former beauty and power. I should, however, be content with perfection of form and coat at 

 34 inches." 



The writer is not prepared to coincide entirely with the above rules, but in the main he 

 considers them correct, and such as can safely be adopted by breeders. The Foxhound, the 

 Pointer, the Shorthorn, and many breeds of sheep and pigs, have been brought to their 

 present excellence by judicious crossing ; why should not the same principle be applied to 

 the perfecting of the Irish Wolfhound ? 



About the year 1863 the writer took the Irish Wolfhound question up, and instituted 

 very searching inquiries after any specimens of the breed. For some time he did not meet 

 with much success ; but about twelve years ago three distinct strains were brought to his 

 notice viz., those of the late Sir J. Power of Kilfane, the late Mr. Baker of Ballytobin, and 

 Mr. Mahoney of Dromore alas ! now all believed to be lost, save some of the descendants 

 of the first two strains, which are in the writer's and one or two other hands. Isolated specimens 

 were also heard of. The Kilfane strain owed their origin to dogs bred by Richardson, about 

 1840, who not content with writing, actively set to work to discover the breed ; from him Sir John 

 Power had more than one specimen. Richardson obtained bitches from Mr. Carter of Bray 

 (whose strain he mentions in his essay), and crossing these with a grand dog of great height, 

 produced some remarkably fine dogs. It is also believed that this strain was descended from 

 Hamilton Rowan's dog Bran, before mentioned. Of this strain also were the Ballytobin 

 dogs. Mr. Baker was an enthusiast regarding all old Irish institutions, and having built 

 himself a castle, he did all he could to increase the size of the deer in his park, also to 

 restore to their original form the Irish Wolfdogs. To this end he procured the best 



