GIANT DOGS OF IRELAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19965, 6 December 1926, Page 12

GIANT DOGS OF IRELAND

REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT . BREED. It is marvellous what eugenics can achieve in the way of dog breeding. Thanks to this science, an acceptable counterfeit of a practically extinct breed can be manufactured by experts. A remarkable case in point is that if the Irish wolfhound, which is seen at shows to-day, and which has become the most popular of all the breeds of big dogs (writes Major Harding Cox, the wellknown dog expert, in the Daily Mail). From the various paintings, engravings, and descriptions of bygone days, when the real Irish wolfhound flourished and was used for the hunting of the wolves that' in those days infested sonic of the wilder districts of Ireland, it will be seen that the modern imitation is a very acceptable one. The revival of the breed was due to the energy of Captain Graham, who succeeded in unearthing a specimen which was said to have been directly descended from the old breed. By mating this dog with a Scottish deerhound bitch, and subsequently introducing Great Dane blood, the present type was arrived at. Chronicles relate that the ancient wolfhounds of Ireland attained an enormous size, one writer speaking of one which was 4ft in height at the shoulder. But the tallest one in recent years did not exceed 38in. These dogs are of a most amiable temperament and thoroughly trustworthy with children. In order to prove their sporting spirit coursing meetings have been held, at one of which I had the honour of acting as judge. With a fast hare the wolfhounds cannot get to close quarters, but they are able to work a less speedy one far more closely than would be imagined. They are of inestimable value in the hunting of big game. Not long ago one saved its mistress from a charging lion, which was so surprised at the appearance of the colossal dog that it turned tail and fled.