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Dogs of all nations / a complete work, profusely illustrated, bearing on the world's different varieties of the dog, grouped under their several nationalities, with descriptive matter explaining the characteristics and utility of each cover

Dogs of all nations / a complete work, profusely illustrated, bearing on the world's different varieties of the dog, grouped under their several nationalities, with descriptive matter explaining the characteristics and utility of each

Chapter 37: IRISH WOLFHOUND
By Walter Esplin Mason
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About This Book

The work presents a comprehensive, illustrated breed handbook that catalogs dog varieties grouped by nationality, providing concise descriptions of appearance, coloration, proportions, and utility. Entries focus on measurable traits—size, head, ears, eyes, tail—and general conformation, often noting standard colors, typical weights and working aptitudes; bitches are noted as slightly lighter. The text favors practical identification over theory, aiming to assist enthusiasts and breeders with accessible breed standards and comparative notes rather than exhaustive pedigrees or histories.

IRISH WOLFHOUND

Color: Gray, red, black, pure white, fawn and brindle.

Height: 35 in.

Weight: 150 lbs.

This dog though not as heavy and massive as the Great Dane is more so than the Deerhound. He has a commanding appearance and is very muscular, strongly though gracefully built, with movements easy and active. The head is long, skull not too broad, and muzzle moderately pointed. Eyes dark in color, ears small and of the greyhound type, neck very strong, muscular and well arched, with a long back and muscular thighs. The tail is long and slightly curved and well covered with hair. Coat should be rough and hard on the body, legs and head, and especially long and wiry over the eyes and under the jaw.

This breed is undoubtedly of great antiquity and was freely bred and used hundreds of years ago in Ireland for the hunting of wolves. When wolves became extinct the breeding of Irish Wolfhounds came to its lowest ebb, but during the last twenty years great strides have been made to resuscitate, and it is now one of the most popular of the large varieties on the show bench.