Irish Wolfhound History

The American Kennel Gazette

Now PURE-BRED DOGS AMERICAN KENNEL GAZETTE
 
Irish wolfhound IRISH
WOLFHOUNDS
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB
OF AMERICA

When a column deadline is involved a month goes by at a pace much faster than a dog trot, even the trot of an Irish Wolfhound. There doesn't seem to be time enough to collect one's thoughts but here goes. First, Merry Christmas and a good New Year to all.

Several items of interest to American fanciers have appeared recently in the Irish Wolfhound column conducted by Esther M. Croucher in the English publication, Dog World. She reports the Irish Wolfhound Club Yearbook 1955, 56 and 57 includes a "most interesting article on Irish Wolfhounds in America in 1957 by Dorothy Lennard Ellis." Mrs. Ellis is immediate past president of the I.W. Club of America. The yearbook also includes registrations, transfers, stud book entries, change of names, export pedigrees and importations.

Also mentioned was that Mrs. Ellis had traveled 1,833 miles between last February and May with her imported dog, Sulhamstead Matador of Killybracken that quickly gained his championship and then became a multiple BIS winner, as reported last month. To the English this seemed a great many miles.

Miss Croucher wrote that "it is good to know that the rumour that Ch. Sanctuary Rory of Kihone is no more is untrue." Rory went to England from Kennel Kihone of Miss F. Jeanette McGregor, Sherborn, Mass, present president of the Irish Wolfhound Club of America. Miss Croucher continued:
"However, a recent article has started a train of thought. (It) dealt with the collection of dogs in the Natural History Museum, South Kensington. I believe there are two Irish Wolfhounds there... Now I know it is a delicate and painful subject but things like this have to be arranged beforehand.... Such a hound as Rory is bound to be a starting point in discussions .... as he is in so many pedigrees. What more fitting honor could he have than to join these two old timers and become a subject for reference? ... the museum expects donors to pay for the mounting ... Do let us plan to do something about this before the chance has finally gone forever. Could we not start a fund? ..."

One final item from Miss Croucher, who reports that hotels in Britain charge anything up to 7 shillings a night for permitting a dog to stay with the owner. Let's hope this idea doesn't spread to the U.S.

Of importance to animal breeders generally is the announcement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set up a pioneering research laboratory in basic animal genetics. The objectives will be to arrive at a clearer understanding of concepts of inheritance, gene behavior, why and how mutations occur, the effects of mating systems, effects of selection for mating and effects of environmental factors on traits of animal offspring.

Also in the field of science it is encouraging to read that another vaccination has been found to prevent cancer caused by viruses in animals. This, reported at the meeting of the American Public Health Assn., is the third such vaccine known and the first against lump cancer. There are 15 known types of virus which cause cancer in animals. The researchers now are trying to find viruses in human cancer.

In our household we are especially interested in such developments. On Oct. 26, rapidly growing bone cancer forced us to put down our Ch. Dearge of Killybracken, better known as Erin to her friends. Even in her last days, when she must have suffered discomfort, her tolerance and gentleness never faltered. In her five and one-half years I never saw her raise her lip in anger. Best expressing our feelings are the words of Sir Walter Scott: "The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon; but to be sure, if he lived for 50 years and then died, what would become of me? —

Gordon F. Graham, 263 Manhasset Ave., Manhasset, L.I., N.Y.
December, 1958

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Irish wolfhound IRISH
WOLFHOUNDS
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB
OF AMERICA

Walter H. Reeves of Clarkson, Ont., well-known veteran judge, will be the arbiter at the 33rd annual IWCA Specialty on May 25 at Amory L. Haskell's Woodland Farm, Red Bank, N.J. Mr. Reeves is no stranger to I.W.s or to the Specialty. If memory serves (references are not at hand) he judged the first Specialty and also the 25th. As always, a record turnout is the aim of the show committee which has been hard at work for quite some time.

The January column mentioned a newspaper picture of an adult I.W. arriving from England, but the owner was not identified. Mrs. Wayne L. Larrick, Princeton Junction, N.J., writes:
"We also had seen the picture ... and were curious about him. Our questions were answered when he was benched next to our dog at the Philadelphia show. His name is Timberlake Finntara Laggan of Arraghglen, bred by Mrs. Maureen Leith. His new owners are Mr. and Mrs. Christian Schulz, Massapequa Park, L.I., N.Y.
"I believe Laggan is a litter mate of Lovat of Arraghglen, owned by Mr. Weaver (Henry B. Weaver, IWCA treasurer) ... Our Sean is coming along nicely and we've enjoyed attending and learning about shows. We couldn't be more pleased with a dog. I.W.s are all we heard they are plus much more!"

There also was a further reaction to the dog cesspool discussion. The January column reported that a Bloodhound man said he had read the piece, noted the need for digging a hole and promptly went upstairs for a rest. Subsequently, my wife received a call from a young lady who said: "The man who went upstairs for a rest could only have been my husband or so-and-so. Was it my husband?" My wife didn't know, but the answer is yes.

There are indications that the Irish Wolfhound population of this country is increasing. This situation puts a larger burden on breeders to be sure that I.W.s are going to homes where all members of the family are fully aware of the responsibilities that I.W. ownership entails. In short, even more than in the past, an effort must be made to insure that people and I.W.s are suited to each other.

Fortunately, as an English writer recently pointed out, the I.W.'s size will prevent the breed from becoming overly numerous and "this can only benefit the breed as a whole, as it enables breeders to avoid those fads and exaggerations which go hand-in-hand with popularity...." —

Gordon F. Graham, 263 Manhasset Ave., Manhasset, L.I., N.Y.
March, 1962

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Irish wolfhound IRISH
WOLFHOUNDS
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB
OF AMERICA

Miss Esther M. Croucher of England will be the judge at the 34th IWCA Specialty show at Glengyle Farm (Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Weaver, Jr.), Aldie, Va. on Friday, Apr. 19. Just as a reminder, the closing date is Tuesday noon, Apr. 9, with Miss Lynne D. Evely, of Mr. Weaver's office, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington 6, D.C.

A well-known breeder and I.W. authority in England, this is Miss Croucher's second IWCA judging assignment. She officiated at the 1951 Specialty held in Long Beach, Calif., putting up as BB Thomas B. Wanamaker Jr.'s Ch. Finn MacCool of Edgecliff. Naturally the show committee is working for a record entry. As previously reported there are four all-breed events in the Virginia-Maryland area starting the day before the Specialty and ending the following Monday.

Another important event has just taken place, the publication of "The Complete Irish Wolfhound" by Alma J. Starbuck ($7.50, Howell Book House, Inc., 575 Lexington Ave., New York 22, N.Y.).

Mrs. Starbuck, whose Ambleside Kennels now at Beaumont, Calif., has registered more I.W.s than any other U.S. breeder, has written a book that fully merits its name. It would be difficult indeed to ask an I.W. question that isn't answered. There is an extremely broad range of subject matter, from the ancient history of the breed to tabulations of I.W. champions, all-breed show winners and advice on how to care for a puppy.

As Mrs. Starbuck writes, "The story of the Irish Wolfhound, 'like all Gaul,' may be divided into three parts: the data regarding the ancient wolfdog with his romantic historical background, the extraordinary feat of Captain George A. Graham in reviving the breed in the 19th century; and the dog among us today."

In keeping with the saying that "names make news", Mrs. Starbuck's book is replete with names of people active in the breed, historical and present day. The book has nearly 100 pictures and illustrations of I.W.s and includes a chapter on gait by McDowell Lyon.

The broad range of subject matter is illustrated by these brief quotations; which of course are fully documented:
"These dogs just naturally 'mind their own business' and do not look for trouble, but when called upon to do so, they can simply explode into action."
"The Irish Wolfhound develops into a 'knowing' dog and will seek to match your mood. He is not a trick dog and does not delight in foolish accomplishments."
"When people ask what Wolfhounds are good for, I always have to reply, 'The same things most dogs are.' In society as we find it today, the dog's function is mainly guarding the household and giving companionship."

"The Complete Irish Wolfhound" is an excellent book both for the newcomer to the breed and for the experienced owner and breeder as well. —

Gordon F. Graham, 263 Manhasset Ave., Manhasset, L.I., N.Y.
April, 1963

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Irish wolfhound IRISH
WOLFHOUNDS
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB
OF AMERICA

A funny thing happened — as the saying goes — at a recent all-breed show. An I.W. puppy bitch not yet seven months old was entered. She has good bone and, as is normal in I.W.s, her metacarpus, or front "ankle" joints are knobby. As puppies mature, the knobbiness disappears, but the condition is often considered as an indication a puppy will do a lot of growing. The judge touched and looked at the joints and forthwith declared that a veterinarian must be called. At this point the owners (my household) pointed out that the puppy was just six months plus, that knobby joints are normal and, indeed, their absence would be a cause for concern. The judge then pulled one of the puppy's front legs out at right angles and decided that a veterinarian would not be needed. Since the puppy did not limp and is not crippled in any way, it is not clear just what the veterinarian would have been asked to rule upon. It is to be doubted that there is a rule banning knobby joints.

To say the least, this was a peculiar episode. Doubtless the judge had never before encountered an I.W. puppy but, even so, knobby joints must be found in puppies of other large breeds.

Talking about judges, there seems to be a view among some of them that if two or more rather distinct types develop in a particular breed, it is up to the breeders to indicate which type should be considered as the proper one.

This, it seems to me, is not the right approach. There are written Standards and it is the duty of the judge to make his decision in accordance with the Standard as he sees it. If the breeders and fanciers develop and want a type not in accord with the Standard, then it is the task of the breed club to seek modification of the Standard as prescribed by the AKC rules.

While on the subject of judges I (and I am sure a great many others) was distressed to read that George M. Beckett has resigned. Whether they won or lost, a great many people liked to show under Mr. Beckett because they had confidence in his knowledge of dogs and their Standards.

All sorts of things happen when you are an I.W. owner. Recently a couple whose I.W. was pictured in a Washington paper after the IWCA specialty in April received a call from a woman who had seen the photo. She wanted to see the I.W. and said she was in the market for a puppy. The woman arrived in a car driven by someone else and among other things said that her husband lived on the moon. She offered to buy the couple's I.W. but was refused, of course, and departed in somewhat of a huff. —

Gordon F. Graham, 263 Manhasset Ave., Manhasset, L.I., N.Y.
November, 1963

 
Killybracken
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Irish wolfhound IRISH
WOLFHOUNDS
IRISH WOLFHOUND CLUB
OF AMERICA
A large pet shop recently has been advertising that its puppies carried a seven-year guarantee. There was no mention of just what the guarantee covered, however, and a warranty with a seven-year term on any living thing ought to raise some questions in the minds of even the most inexperienced customers.

Another continuing problem is that caused by the influx of imported dogs, including I.W.s and many other breeds. Much time and effort, to say nothing of expense, is spent on purebred dogs but the eventual effect of some of the imports is not likely to be helpful, to put it mildly. Foreign breeding practices are known to be poor in many cases. Are the pedigrees accurate? Are the puppies carefully inspected for communicable diseases before shipment? Have they been properly fed? Are they adequately crated and cared for en route to the U.S. and, indeed, after they get here?

Even a cursory examination of the problem indicates that the U.S. ought to have stricter standards governing importation of dogs and other animals. Stricter standards might be troublesome but they would not stop importations of dogs from established breeders. Hopefully, however, they would curb current poor practices which, if continued, can only result in long-term damage to many breeds in the United States. Established breeders abroad are just as concerned as those in the U.S. and one even reads in foreign dog journals that some thought is being given to stricter export standards.

The British are not confronted with problems current here. They require a six-month quarantine for all imported dogs. How about a similar requirement here? It certainly would clear the decks, so to speak.

Plans are already taking shape for the 1968 IWCA Specialty which will be held in early April, about a month and a half earlier than usual. The show will be staged at Rimrock Farm (Rathrahilly Kennels), Milford, Kansas which means that Mrs. John W. Wofford will be the hostess. Mrs. Wofford has bred I.W.s for many years and also is well known as a breeder and exhibitor of horses. The specialty will precede three Kansas all-breed events so there will be ample opportunity for major wins.

Having the show in Kansas will give I.W. owners in the vast middle section of the nation a unique chance to participate in the Specialty which, except for 1952, always has been held in an eastern state. Both Pacific and Atlantic coast I.W. people, however, are checking into jet charter possibilities and so it's expected that there will be a coast-to-coast representation of I.W.s.

Samuel Evans Ewing III, Glen Mills, Pa., IWCA president, has appointed Miss Mary Jane Ellis of Madison, N.J. as chairman of the 1968 Specialty show committee and J.C. Parker of Glen Mills as trophy fund chairman, a post long and ably filled by Mr. Ewing. Miss Ellis succeeds Mrs. Gordon F. Graham, St. James, N.Y. as show chairman, a post Mrs. Graham had held for eight years. —

Gordon F. Graham, Long Beach Rd., St. James, L.I., N.Y.
October, 1967
 
 Eagle Farms and Killybracken

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Updated October 23rd, 2008