THE IRISH GREYHOUND OR WOLF-DOG. 41 



this skull is superior in size to the others, which would prove that the average 

 must have heen under 33^ 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 

 degenerate. 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 some- 

 what 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. 



Goat. — 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. 



Oolour. — Black, grey, brindle, red, and fawn, though white and parti-coloured 

 dogs were common, and even preferred in olden times. 



Shape and Sine 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. 



Probable height at shoulder, 32 in. to 



Girth of chest, . 38 



Hound fore-arm, 10 



Length of head, .12^ 



Total length, 84 



Weight in lbs., . . . "° 



When Sir Walter Scott lost his celebrated dog Maida (which, by the way, 

 was by a Pyrenean dog out of a Glengarry deerhound bitch), he was presented 



;s. 





Bitches. 



'35 ™- 



28 



in. 



to 30 



44 



3 2 





» 34 



12 



8 





„ 9^ 



14 



10^ 





„ "^ 



100 



70 





„ 80 



140 



90 





„ no 



