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invader. Their terrier they patronise, but neglect the wolfhound and the Kerry beagle. Had it not been for an Englishman, Captain Graham, this canine relic of a mighty race might even now be extinct. To prevent its becoming so, earnest admirers of the dog, such as he with Colonel Garnier, Mr. Hood Wright, Newton-le-Willows; the Rev. H. L. O'Brien, Limerick; Mr. Bailey, Mr. F. D. George, Cheltenham; Mr. G. E. Crisp, Mr. Playford, Ipswich; Mr. S. R. Heap, West Derby; and some few others, do their best, and usually possess some few specimens of the article as genuine as it can be obtained. Most of the bigger shows provide classes for Irish wolfhounds, but the competition therein is never strong, and the chief prizes are usually taken by one or other of the gentlemen. to whom allusion has been made. A dog has either to save a life or to take one, before he can ensure any amount of popularity, and the Irish wolfhound has not yet done either in his modern form.

The following is the description of the variety as drawn up by the Club:

1. General appearance.-The Irish wolfhound should not be quite so heavy or massive as the Great Dane, but more so than the deerhound, which in general type he should otherwise resemble. Of great size and commanding appearance, very mus

cular, strongly though gracefully built; movements easy and active; head and neck carried high; the tail carried with an upward sweep with a slight curve towards the extremity. The minimum height and weight of dogs should be 31in. and 120lb.; of bitches 28in. and 90lb. Anything below this should be debarred from competition. Great size, including height at shoulder and proportionate length of body, is the desideratum to be aimed at, and it is desired to firmly establish a race that shall average from 32in. to 34in. in dogs, showing the requisite power, activity, courage, and symmetry.

2. Head.-Long, the frontal bones of the forehead very slightly raised, and very little indentation between the eyes. Skull, not too broad. Muzzle, long and moderately pointed. Ears, small and greyhound-like in carriage.

3. Neck.-Rather long, very strong and muscular, well arched, without dewlap or loose skin about the throat.

4. Chest. Very deep. Breast, wide.

5. Back. Rather long than short. Loins, arched.

6. Tail.-Long and slightly curved, of moderate thickness, and well covered with hair.

7. Beily. Well drawn up.

8. Fore-quarters.-Shoulders, muscular, giving

breadth of chest, set sloping. Elbows, well under, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Leg.-Forearm muscular, and the whole leg strong and quite straight.

9. Hind-quarters.-Muscular thighs, and second thigh long and strong as in the greyhound, and hocks well let down and turning neither in nor out.

10. Feet.-Moderately large and round, neither turned inwards nor outwards. Toes well arched and closed. Nails, very strong and curved.

11. Hair.-Rough and hard on body, legs, and head; especially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw.

12. Colour and markings.-The recognised colours are grey, brindle, red, black, pure white, fawn, or any colour that appears in the deerhound.

13. Faults. Too light or heavy a head, too highly arched frontal bone; large ears and hanging flat to the 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 hindquarters and a general want of muscle; too short in body.

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