THE HOUND (IRISH WOLFHOUND).
(From Modern Dogs.)
Origin.—Lost in antiquity; considered by some to be the parent of the deerhound. Good specimens are rarely to be met with these days.
Uses.—Hunting wolves, and frequently deer.
Description from Mr. Rawdon B. Lee’s “Modern Dogs” (Sporting).
General Appearance.—Not so heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the deerhound, which in general type it should otherwise resemble. Of great size and commanding appearance; very muscular; strongly, though gracefully, built; movements easy and active; head and neck carried high; tail carried with upward sweep, with a slight curve toward the extremity.
Head.—Long; frontal bones of forehead very slightly raised, and very little indentation between eyes; skull not too broad; muzzle long and moderately pointed. Ears small and greyhound-like in carriage.
Neck.—Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about throat.
Chest.—Very deep; breast wide.
Back.—Rather long than short; loins arched.
Tail.—Long, slightly curved, moderate thickness, well covered with hair.
Belly.—Well drawn up.
Fore Quarters.—Shoulders muscular, giving breadth of chest, set sloping; elbows well under, neither turned inward nor outward; forearm muscular; the whole leg strong and quite straight.
Hind Quarters.—Muscular thighs, and second thigh long and strong, as in greyhound; hocks well let down, turned neither in nor out.
Feet.—Moderately large and round, neither turned inward nor outward; toes well arched and closed; nails very strong, and curved.
Hair.—Rough and hard on body, legs, and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.
Color and Markings.—The colors are gray, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, or any color that appears in the deerhound.
Height and Weight.—Minimum height and weight of dogs is 31 inches and 120 pounds; of bitches, 28 inches and 90 pounds. Anything below this should be debarred from competition. Great size is the desideratum to be aimed at.
Defects.—Too light or heavy a head; too highly arched frontal bone; large ears, and hanging flat to face; short neck; full dewlap; too narrow or too broad a chest; sunken, or hollow, or quite straight back; bent fore legs, overbent fetlocks, twisted feet, spreading toes; too curly a tail; weak hind quarters and a general want of muscle; too short in body.
