DEERHOUND, CH. "SELWOOD DHOURAN". R. HOOD WRIGHT, OWNER.
The Scotch Deerhound.—Although I have often seen these graceful animals (as we know was the case with Sir Walter Scott), made inmates of the house, there is a rugged, moorland, and, withal, business-like look about them which gives you the idea they would be more at home in the open air, on the heather, or the mountain side, for choice, than in the most luxurious house dwelling. It is some time since I had any of them, but I was very partial to the breed, and used to exhibit for some time, and well remember the grace and activity often displayed by some of my specimens. I always go and have a look at them at the shows. I am not quite convinced they are making much progress, just now, although undoubtedly there are good specimens. There are so many new breeds being brought out and "pushed" forward, some of the older ones are apt to be neglected.
The Points of Scotch Deerhound.—The points of this breed are stated by a well known breeder and exhibitor as follows:—Head, long and narrow, tapering gradually from the ears, knee flat; nose, black, occasionally a blue black, and pointed, lips level, ears small, set on high and carried in a fold, soft, silky, and free from long hairs; neck long but strong, nape very prominent, shoulders sloping, toes close and arched, chest deep, body long, but well ribbed up; loins arched with great breadth across hips, stifle well bent, thighs long; tail set on low, curved but not coated, coat rough and harsh on body, mane on neck and slight fringe on inside of legs, thighs, and tail. Colours: all shades from dark blue or black brindled, to light grey brindled, fallow, fawn, dun and drab. White markings often seen on chest and feet, but most objectionable.
IRISH WOLFHOUND CH. "SHEELAH" CAPN GRAHAM OWNER.
The Irish Wolf Hound.—I think nearly all persons who take any interest in this grand old breed, stated to have been well known to and greatly prized by "the Romans," in old times, are aware that no one of the present generation has devoted more time and trouble, in diving into the history of the breed in the past, and doing his utmost, both by experimental breeding, and stirring up a similar ardour in others, to revive at least some of the past glories of the breed, in the present and future, than Captain George Graham, of Dursley, and I venture to make some quotations from an excellent and interesting article of his on the subject, as being the highest authority procurable: "The form of the old Irish Wolfhound should be that of a tall, heavy Scotch Deerhound, much more massive, and very majestic looking, active and fast, perhaps less so than our present breed of Deerhounds; neck thick in comparison to his form, and very muscular, body and frame lengthy. Head, long but narrow, coming to a comparative point towards the nose, which is rather large; and head gradually getting broader from the same evenly up to the back of the skull, not sharp up to the eyes and then suddenly broad and humpy. Coat, rough, hard and long all over the body, head, legs and tail. Hair on head, long, but rather softer than on body, standing out boldly over eyes, beard under jaws, very marked and wiry. Colours: black, grey, brindle, red, and fawn, though white dogs were esteemed in former times. Ears, small in proportion to size of head, and erect, as in Smooth Greyhounds. If dark in colour, to be preferred. The tail, should be carried with an upward curve only, and not be curled as is the case with many Greyhounds. Size. We may safely deduce that the height of these dogs varied from thirty-two to thirty-four inches, and even thirty-five in the dogs, and from twenty-nine to thirty-one in the bitches. The other dimensions would naturally be about as follows for well shaped and true formed dogs. Girth of chest. Dogs thirty-eight to forty-four inches; bitches thirty-two to thirty-four inches. Weight. Dogs one-hundred and fifteen to one hundred and forty pounds; bitches ninety to one hundred and fifteen pounds. Girth of forearm. Dogs ten to twelve inches; bitches eight and one-half to ten inches. Length of head. Dogs twelve and one-half to fourteen inches; bitches eleven to twelve inches. Most modern authors, and all practical lovers of the canine race whom the writer has consulted, are agreed that the foregoing is the correct type of dog beyond question."
Show Points of the Irish Wolf Hound.—Skull, long but rather narrow in proportion to the animal's height and weight, very gradually tapering to the nose, which should be large; ears small; eyes dark hazel; neck of fair length and very muscular; shoulders sloping, chest rather wide and very deep; body long and very powerful, though free from any suspicion of clumsiness; forelegs, straight, and heavy in bone; feet, compact, and of a good size and well padded; hindquarters, very muscular, with bent stifles and hocks; tail carried rather upward in similar form; coat, profuse, hard, and weather resisting; brindle, black, or fawn are the most usual colours, though whites are known. Size, as tall as possible.
