204 THE GREYHOUND. 



Naturally, the Greyhound of pure blood is not possessed of a very determined character, 

 and it is therefore found necessary to give these creatures the proper amount of endurance by 

 crossing them with the bull-dog, one of the most determined and courageous animals in 

 existence. As may be supposed, the immediate offspring of a bull -dog and a Greyhound is a 

 most ungainly animal, but by continually crossing with the pure Greyhound, the outward 

 shape of the thick and sturdy bull-dog is entirely merged in the more graceful animal, while 

 his stubborn pertinacity remains implanted in its nature. 



The skeleton of the Greyhound is a curious one, and when viewed from behind, bears a 

 marvellous resemblance to that of the ostrich. 



The narrow head and sharp nose of the Greyhound, useful as they are for aiding the prog- 

 ress of the animal by removing every impediment to its passage through the atmosphere, yet 

 deprive it of a most valuable faculty, that of chasing by scent. The muzzle is so narrow in 

 proportion to its length, that the nasal nerves have no room for proper development, and hence 

 the animal is very deficient in its powers of scent. The same circumstance may be noted in 

 many other animals. 



The Irish Greyhound is a remarkably fine animal, being four feet in length, and very 

 firmly built. Its hair is of a pale fawn color, and much rougher than that of the smooth 

 English Greyhound. 



Unless excited by the sight of its game, or by anger, it is a very peaceable animal ; but 

 when roused, exhibits a most determined spirit. In former days, when wolves and wild boars 

 infested the Irish forests, this Dog was used for the purpose of extirpating those animals ; but 

 in these days their numbers are comparatively few. When fighting, it takes its antagonist by 

 the back, and shakes the life out of its foe by main strength. One of these dogs measured 

 sixty-one inches in total length ; twenty-eight and a half inches from the toe to the top of the 

 shoulder, and thirty-five inches in girth. 



The Scotch Greyhound is still rougher in its coat than its Irish relative, but hardly so 

 large in its make : a very fine example of these Dogs, of the pure Glengarry breed, measures 

 twenty -eight inches in height, and thirty -four inches in girth, being a little smaller than the 

 Irish Dog which was mentioned above. 



There seems to be but one breed of the Scotch Greyhound, although some families are 

 termed Deerhounds, and others are only called Greyhounds. Each, however, from being con- 

 stantly employed in the chase of either deer or hare, becomes gradually fitted for the pursuit of 

 its special quarry, and contracts certain habits which render it comparatively useless when set 

 to chase the wrong animal. The Scotch Deerhound is possessed of better powers of scent than 

 the Greyhound, and in chasing its game depends as much on its nose as on its eyes. And it is 

 curious too, that although it makes use of its olfactory powei's when running, it holds its head 

 higher from the ground than the Greyhound, which only uses its eyes. 



The Russian Greyhound is also gifted with the power of running by scent, and is 

 employed at the present day for the same purposes which Irish Greyhounds subserved in 

 former times. 



Many Russian forests are infested with wild boars, wolves, and bears, and this powerful 

 and swift Dog is found of great use in the destruction of these quadrupedal pests. In size it is 

 about equal to the Scotch Greyhound. It is not exclusively used for the chase of the large 

 and savage beasts, but is also employed in catching deer, hares, and other animals which come 

 under the ordinary category of "game." 



The fur of this Dog is thick, but does not run to any length. 



The noble and graceful animal which is the representative of the Greyhound family in 

 Persia, derives its origin from a source which is hidden in the mists of antiquity, and has been 

 employed in the chase of swift-footed animals from time immemorial. Powerful of jaw, quick 

 and supple of limb, the Persian Greyhound is chosen to cope with that swift and daring 



