DOMESTIC DOGS. 



523 



blue-fawn. Tliere are also black, red, yellow, wliite, and parti-ccloured varieties, 

 several of which depend for their value ujxjn the colour of the muzzle. In the 

 uniforndy-coloured varieties there should not Ix^ a single spot of white. 



IM 



ITiLIAN GKEVUULNUS (J Hat. size). 



Deerhound. 



The Scotch deerhound, or rough greyhound, is larger and heavier 

 tlian the English greyhound, frequently standing as much as 28 inches 

 at the shoulder, while its weight may exceed 80 lbs., whereas that of the 

 English greyhound is seldom above 65 lbs. Tlie body is clothed with a 

 rough and rather shaggy coat of hair, the texture of which varies in different 

 breeds, being .sometimes as stiff as in the wire-liaired terriers, while in other cases 

 it is of a more silky and woolly nature. The legs should be devoid of a fi-inge of 

 hair; while the tail should likewise be comparatively smooth. The favourite 

 coloui-s in the Scotch deerhound are dark slaty grey, fawn, grizzled, or brindled. 

 White should be absent, although a small .spot on the forehead is not objected to. 

 When the fawn-coloured variety has the ears tipped with brown it is considered 

 perfect. The Scotch deerhound used to be emjiloyed both for deer-stalking and for 

 coursing ; and this different use has given rise to various strains of the breed. 



The ancient wolf-dogs of Ireland formerly enjoyed a reputation 



"^ ' for great power and strength and their prowess against wolves. The 



original breed, or rather breeds, appear, however, to have completely died out, and 



we are thus acquainted with these animals mainly by tradition and history, 



although attempts have been made to reproduce them. It appears that there 



