THE IRISH GREYHOUND OR WOLF.DOG. 35 
1} inches are an ample allowance for the extras, and if the head is taken at 12} 
inches the height of the dog will be reduced to 36 inches, Moreover, the 
measurement of 10 inches for the head of a 29 inches deerhound’s head is 
manifestly insufficient, as the writer can testify from ample experience and 
frequent measurements, A’ deerhound of that height would have a head at 
least 11 inches ; so, calculating on the same principles, the Irish skulls would 
have been from dogs that only stood 33} inches. Richardson says that this 
skull is superior in size to the others, which would prove that the average 
must have been under 333 inches, and we may safely conclude that the height 
of these dogs varied from 31 inches to 34 inches. In support of this view the 
writer would point to the German boarhound; this dog: has retained his 
character from a very remote age, and as he is still used for the capture of 
fierce and large animals, the breed is not likely to have been allowed to degene- 
rate. The height of this breed varies from 28 inches to 33 inches, the latter 
being probably the limit to which any race of dogs has been known to arrive. 
. The writer has numerous extracts from various authors, and many engrav- 
ings from pictures by artists, dating from the middle of the sixteenth century 
to the commencement of the present century ; but want of space will not allow 
of their being introduced, though of much interest. From these sources it is 
gathered clearly that the dog was such as has been above stated; and from 
these varied accounts the following detailed conclusions as to the appearance 
and dimensions of the breed are arrived at, though perhaps they may not be 
considered as absolutely conclusive. , 
General Appearance and Form.—That of a very tall, heavy Scotch deerhound ; 
much more massive and majestic looking; active, and tolerably fast, but 
somewhat less so than the present breed of deerhound; the neck thick in 
comparison to his form, very muscular and rather long. 
Shape of Head.—Very long, but not too narrow, coming to a comparative 
point ; nose not too small, and head gradually getting broader from the same 
evenly up to the back of the skull; much broader between the ears than that 
of present deerhound. . 3 
Coat.—Rough and hard all over body, tail, and legs, and of good length ; 
hair on head long, and rather softer than that on body ; that under-the jaws 
to be long and wiry, also that over eyes. 
Colour.—Black, grey, brindle, red, and fawn, though white and parti- 
coloured dogs were common, and even preferred in olden times. 
Shape and Size of Ears—Small in proportion to size of head, and half erect, 
resembling those of the best deerhounds ; if the dog is of light colour a dark 
ear is to be preferred. 
Dogs. Bitches. 
Probableh eight at shoulder, x ‘ a g2in. to 35in. 28in. to 30 in. 
Girth of chest, .» .« +» «+ eb 38 oy 44 32 gg 354 
Round fore-arm, .  » . : F . Io ,, 12 8 4, of 
Length of head, . ‘ ; . . : wake, «14 rok 4, «11d 
Total length, ‘ : : ‘ Fi j 84  ,, 100 jo 4, 80 
Weight in lbs. . r “ i . ¥ IIo} 4, 140 go » II0 
