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ABC's of Irish Wolfhounds Puppy Tales: Find a person in your area for help and information
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Is There a Wolfhound in There?
One of the original historians of the Scottish deerhound standard was Mr. G. W. Hickman. He had a constant dispute going with Capt. G. A. Graham, the founding father of reviving the Irish Wolfhound. Both argued over the origins of the deerhounds and wolfhounds. Capt. Graham used the deerhound to recreate the extinct Irish Breed. In the Captain publication "The Book of the Dog" he said deerhounds did not exist until modern times and that " he always considered the deerhound a degeneration of the Irish Wolfhound." This did not help relations between the two breeds. As the duel continued, in a letter to the editor of The Livestock Journal " of 1881 Hickman wrote," I showed from Pitscottie"s History ( written 1600 AD) that the Earles of Huntlie, Argyle, and Athole brought thair deirhounds with thame," proving that more than 250 years ago the term deerhound was used and existed as a breed. This battle of origins of the Scottish Greyhound or Wolfdog began in the late nineteenth century. The mélange of Celtic greyhounds, staghounds, and Sighthounds in general are still being researched as to origin and history. The debate continues even today. Now I am not a historian or scholar on this subject. I live with both breeds, and frankly the difference between the deerhound and wolfhound makes me wonder about how there was any connection at all! When I got my deerhound, Dag Wabbit, I thought there would be great kindred spirit between the two breeds. We would be a cohesive household. Well, this is what I have discovered: |
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Deerhounds
Eat one kibble at a time Dig holes and cover holes Ears not need much stripping Pretzel positions possible Never starts a fight Bites underbelly Jumps off all fours Protects toys Likes cozy dog beds Laps gracefully Greets strangers quickly Doesn't chew on bones Butts always clean Hates rain Yelps Keeps fit Never fat Faster 30" Licks human chins Hates collars Difficult to train Begs for attention Provokes chaos in household Peter Pan |
Wolfhounds
Gobble food Dig only Ears need constant maintenance Stiff body with resistance Fierce when provoked Fights with head and neck Jumps off two legs only Destroys toys Likes queen-size mattresses Drips water from furnishings Slower to greet strangers Loves marrow bones Butts always dirty Likes rain sometimes Howls Needs to be worked Can have weight issue Slower 36" Licks human hands Loves collars Easy to train Begs for food Promotes serenity Orson Wells |
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| I'm sure I could even add to this list as time goes on. The conclusion is that it is a wonder how either one could be connected. When I go to the All Breed shows and I hear comments like, "That wolfhound looks like a deerhound" or "That deerhound is so big it could be a wolfhound,"I just want to say, "Mister, you have no idea how much they are NOT alike!" I love them both but they are definitely two separate breeds. If you have any doubts just start reading Graham and Hickman and you'll see where the argument began, and justifiably so.
~~ L.S.Ross
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