By ARTHUR FREDERICK JONES
Life's infinite dimensions grow equally from the material and the spiritual; from the communion of man, and beast, and nature; from the loyalties that are a necessary part of existence.
It is in loyalties that one finds the vital compensatory forces that bind all Nature's kingdoms into an homogeneous whole; that one discovers in life something more than a mere existence; that one realizes the true measure of contentment.
Seldom does one think of these elementary truths in the feverish urban existence that constitutes life for so many of us. But once the cities are left far behind, the cerulean cloak of the sky seems to reach down and press us closer to Nature itself. That, at least, was my thought when recently I had occasion to analyze the factors that have gone to make the Rathmullan Kennels, at Santa Fé, New Mexico, one of the leading establishments of Irish wolfhounds in the United States.
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| RATHMULLAN'S PUEBLO STYLE KENNEL AT SANTA FÉ, NEW MEXICO |
Rathmullan became a fact just four years ago, when the Misses Amelia Elizabeth and Martha R. White gratified a desire that they had maintained since childhood, by purchasing a handsome pair of wolfhounds, Gelert of Ambleside and Edain of Ambleside, from Mr. and Mrs. L.O. Starbuck, of Augusta, Michigan. It seems that they had seen at Westminster the first pair of Irish wolfhounds ever exhibited in the United States. Then and there they decided that if ever they owned a home with grounds extensive enough to provide unlimited exercise, they would breed and exhibit these giant dogs.
| CH. EDAIN OF AMBLESIDE This handsomely made Irish wolfhound is one of the principal winners at the Rathmullan Kennels |
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So it was a natural sequence of events that, when the White sisters acquired an interest in the 250 acre place, which they humorously refer to sometimes as "El Delirio Ranch", in Santa Fé, they set about organizing a kennel of the imposing dogs that they had first seen at Madison Square Garden. The following February, Edain whelped an excellent litter of eight by Gelert; and Rathmullan was off to a real start. A few months later, the owners purchased Killfree Kilmorac of Halcyon from the Halcyon Kennels, of Goshen, New York, and their kennel began to take on large proportions.
In the meanwhile, the Misses White already had come to realize how truly ideal was this location for a kennel of Irish wolfhounds. It lay in a large and rugged amphitheatre formed by the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, the Hills of El Ortiz, and the Jemez Hills, past which the Rio Grande wends its way. Despite these higher eminences, the elevation of the property is 7,100 feet above sea level, so that it has supreme climate, dry at all times and at night always cool.
The terrain is very rugged, and full of deep arroyos or dry river beds. Underfoot, one finds mainly sand and gravel.
After looking over the whole place, the owners decided that the best spot for the kennel building would be by the side of one of these arroyos, so that the drainage would be perfect. Also, the arroyo chosen would permit a southeastern exposure to the pen rooms.
The kennel building was designed and built along the Spanish pueblo style, to conform with the residence and the nature of the country. E.V. "Jack" Lambert, the ranch superintendent, was the designer and builder. It is a most fitting and artistic structure, decidedly different from any other kennel to be found in the United States. In fact, everything about "El Delirio" is a little different to eyes that are accustomed to the architecture of other sections of the country.
The pueblo style, carried through in every instance, dominates the whole 12 acres that has been given over to the residence, the outbuildings, the gardens, the swimming pool, the tennis courts, the stables and corrals, and the kennels.
Before taking up the kennel in more detail, perhaps one might form a more faithful picture of life in the Southwest if it were mentioned that the Misses White maintain a stable of nine saddle horses and five pack mules for the use of themselves and their guests.
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| STARTOF MORNING EXERCISE Here one sees Alex Scott, the kennel manager, starting out on his morning ride to exercise the hounds. They cover many miles over rugged country. It is one of the secrets of Rathmullan's winning |
Situated as it is, close to the mountains, one can ride for miles and miles, over the hills, without meeting more than a sheep herder or two, in a day's travel.
It is not unusual to see Miss Martha White and her guests riding with the hounds in the early morning, and it is sometimes exciting to see the riders guiding their mounts down the steep bank of a deep, dry arroyo and up again on the other side. And then, if the hounds raise a Jack rabbit, there is plenty of fun and excitement.
Miss Martha White is as interested in horses as in dogs, and is an excellent horsewoman. She is fond of jumping and can put a horse over the bars, whether using a saddle or not. She owns a half interest in a ranch near Coolidge, Arizona, where she has a large stable of thoroughbred breeding stock.
The gardens near the residence, where one finds many interesting forms of plant life, impossible to raise in any other section of the country, are the particular hobby of Miss Elizabeth White. She is a great lover of flowers. Besides that interest, and her dogs, much of her time is given to Indian welfare work, and she is secretary of the National Association on Indian Affairs. Indian art and handicraft have a strong appeal to her.
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| CH. KILLFREE KILMORAC OF HALCYON This grand bitch, shown at a match show with Scott, exemplifies the wonderful type of stock that is being used to breed real ones at Rathmullan |
The breeding and raising of Irish wolfhounds at the Rathmullan Kennels is being done in the finest traditions that have existed since earliest times in Ireland. This huge dog, which often stands 36 inches or more at the shoulder, is one that needs a maximum of varied exercise if he is to be a worthy representative of his line. This breed is one that carries a glorious heritage of sport afield, and of royal environment. It was known and revered in Erin long before the Romans swept over Britain, and it is welded inseparably with the folk lore of the Irish people.
To go into its history would fill a huge volume. Indeed, Father Hogan, to whom the breed was a continual source of pride for its association with his native country, spent a lifetime sifting the historical mentions of the Irish wolfhound. Suffice it to say, then, that the breed comes down to America of the second third of the twentieth century with a recommendation of true greatness, and a promise of sustained honor, if raised in the proper manner.
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| AS IT WAS IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY Miss Amelia Elizabeth White, seen beside the wolfhounds, and Miss Martha R. White, second on the left, arranged this faithful representation of a 16th Century hunting party for the Santa Fe fiesta |
Were the Irish wolfhound merely a dog of tremendous size and strength - a dog whose strength almost equalled the colorful but possibly exaggerated Irish legends - it might have distinction enough. But it has far more than mere size; a spirit that is as huge as its shaggy body. In this giant of the canine race is found a disposition that is as lovable and appealing as that of the most mischievous terrier; a sense of loyalty that is as unchanging as granite; and a reasoning power that is truly amazing.
These are the things that kept alive, through many years, the desire of the Misses White to own an entire kennel of Irish wolfhounds. They had sensed them when looking into the deep, understanding, dark eyes of those specimens at Westminster, and later they had studied something of the exploits of the breed. And it was these qualities that have made Alex Scott, the kennel manager, into a rabid enthusiast of the breed.
Scott came to Rathmullan in the Spring of 1932, and his experience with the Irish wolfhound was then limited, practically, to his knowledge of handling them in the ring. He had found them, after several years of taking the breed all over the country, along with collies, to be absolutely obedient and of a quiet nature. But it was not until he began to take them out, in packs, over the hills surrounding Rathmullan, that he began to understand the true quality of their natures.
There is a little story told by Miss Martha White that illustrates, possibly better than anything else, just what is meant by the splendid disposition of the breed.
"Gelert of Ambleside was our first wolfhound," said Miss White, "and what I at once learned from him was the unusual gentleness and trustworthiness of the Irish wolfhound with the human race. Gelert's trust in the human race was so absolute and touching that I at once saw that he could be trusted never to bite or snap from nervous fear or surprise.
He had been here only a short time when he stepped on a piece of broken bottle and cut an artery between his toes. He allowed a veterinarian he had never seen before to clean and dress the wound in that sensitive place, without making the slightest resistance or effort to get away. He simply lay on the floor, sighing deeply, and letting the vet do anything he wanted. That showed great self-control and character."
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| WOLFHOUNDS THAT HUNT The jack rabbit, being held by Manager Scott, was run down by Sagramohr of Rathmullan. These big hounds almost daily have a real chase |
The Irish wolfhound is not a noisy breed of dog. When one of them barks, its owner may always be certain there is a stranger on the place. By nature these dogs are gentle and affectionate, but when justifiably provoked, they are very fierce. They are never quarrelsome with humans, among themselves, or with other dogs. As a matter of fact, the hounds are happier when two are kept in the same pen or stall.
The kennel building at Rathmullan, while holding to the outward semblance of the pueblo, is a most modern structure. It has been fashioned in a scientific manner and put up with the finest types of materials. It is built with hollow tile and faced with moisture proof cement, both inside and out. With one exception, every room in the building has a floor of moisture proof concrete. The exception is the reception or trophy room, where one finds a polished hardwood floor.
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| WINTER COMES TO SANTA FE Popular opinion to the contrary, the Southwest does have some cold weather. Here we see how one of last Winter's snow storms blanketed the Rathmullan Kennels at Santa Fé |
In ordinary circumstances, dogs are kept in pens or stalls. But not at Rathmullan. Due to the size of the Irish wolfhound, the dogs are kept in separate rooms. There are five such rooms in the building, each 10 x 10 feet. The walls are of hollow tile, faced with moisture proof cement, and go right up to the ceiling, which is nine feet high.
Each room contains a wooden platform, 4 x 6 feet, raised six inches off the floor, that serves as a bed; two windows, one of which opens into the hallway for cross ventilation; a door to the outside, and one to the inside. Two wolfhounds may be placed in each room, with comfort.
The rooms are all on the side of the building overlooking the deep arroyo, and each has its own run, 10 x 20 feet in size, surrounded by a heavy mesh wire fence on iron pipes set in concrete. Four of the runs are of gravel, while the fifth, or center one, is a concrete run. This run is of great use in case a hound has a cut or bruised foot, and it is desired not to aggravate the condition.
The health of the Rathmullan dogs is watched very closely. In fact, they are gone over every day to see that they are in perfect condition. Their feet often suffer on the sharp stones in the locality, so it is quite essential to watch out for infections. In addition to that, great attention is paid to the scalding of food pans, after every meal, and the cleanliness of their drinking water.
Then their beds and bedding are kept clean and dry. Each sleeping platform is equipped with a big, canvas mattress, stuffed with cedar shavings. This mattress is swept off daily, sprayed with pine oil, and turned.
The rooms are washed out completely and disinfected with Creolin-Pearson, three times a week. The runs are moistened with a hose every day, and sprayed with sheep dip twice a week.
As mentioned previously, the fortunate high position of the kennels obviates any drainage problem. All stalls and runs have tile pipe drains, connected to the main sewer.
Rathmullan puppies have a much larger room than the five mentioned already. This room is 10 x 33½ feet, and it is located on the opposite side of the building. Its construction is similar to that of the others. In addition, the puppies have their own run, 50 x 300 feet, with a puppy house, or daytime shelter, that is 12 x 20 feet.
The other rooms of importance on the first floor are the kitchen, which adjoins the central dog room, and the hounds' bath room. The kitchen is 12 ft. 6 in. square, and contains a small gas stove, a sink with hot and cold water, a white enameled table, a meat block, a pressure cooker, and a medicine closet. The kitchen also has a drain in the center of its cement floor so it can be hosed out easily. The bath room, which opens off the hall, is 8 feet square. It is equipped with a special shower, piped for both hot and cold water, which is used when bathing these large wolfhounds. The floor is cement and drained in the center.
As one enters the reception and trophy room, the door to the puppy quarters is on the left; and on the right are the doors to two dog rooms. The hall leading to the kitchen and the rear of the building is on the left; and adjacent to it is the stairway leading to the second floor. From the kitchen, there is a stairway leading to the basement.
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| SAGRAMOHR OF RATHMULLAN This is a most promising young hound by Gelert of Ambleside ex Ch. Edain of Ambleside. He excels in head, bone, and substance |
In the 15 x 15 feet basement, one finds the thermostatically controlled, copper tube, gas fired, Bryan steam boiler. The kennel has ample radiators to keep all the dog rooms warm, if necessary. But, usually, these are unheated. The only dog room kept warm all the time is the one next to the kitchen.
A temperature of 60 degrees is maintained in the halls, kitchen, and that central dog room, all winter. Also, in the basement, is a gas-fired hot water heater, and bins for the biscuit and other food supplies. The walls and floor of the basement are finished similarly to the other rooms. On the upper floor of the building is the kennel manager's apartment, consisting of a combination living and bedroom, a kitchen, and a bath.
The care of Irish wolfhounds is not as difficult as it might seem to one who had never had any connection with the breed. For instance, it is seldom, if ever, necessary to wash the dogs. At Rathmullan, each hound is brushed and combed every day. In order to eliminate fleas and improve the texture of the coat, the brush is dipped in a pail of water to which Creolin-Pearson has been added in the proportion of one tablespoonful to a gallon of water. They are washed only when they get a doggy odor, and that is very seldom indeed.
While the feeding of this huge dog is in greater quantity, it is not much different to that of other breeds. At Rathmullan, the hounds have two meals a day. The morning meal is very light, consisting of Peerless Ration, one egg, and half a pint of milk, per dog. In Winter, a tablespoonful of codliver oil is added for each dog.
The evening meal is the main one, of course. On four days of the week, each hound gets at least 3½ lbs. of raw, lean beef. If the bones are not first removed, the weight is usually 4½ to 5 lbs. The three other evenings, they have cooked meat, along with carrots, spinach, and onions, thickened with Ration or biscuit. On occasional days they have fish instead of meat.
The Irish wolfhound needs a great deal of exercise. But if one likes riding, it is a great pleasure to take them out. Manager Scott usually rides out in the morning with the entire kennel of hounds. In another section of the country it might not even be necessary to ride, but the arroyos and washouts, which one finds so frequently in New Mexico, make it out of the question to do anything but ride a horse, when giving these towering hounds their exercise.
When Scott takes the pack out, one dog stays beside his horse, and the others spread out to the right and left. Not being lacking in brains, they have learned that this is a most strategic manner of going, for with this skirmishing formation, it is just too bad for the jack rabbit that comes into sight. The hounds ran down at least 25 jack rabbits last Summer. Coyotes, so far, have had something the better of the bargain, since the barbed wire fences in the locality are rather a deterrent to the free movement of the hounds.
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| CH. EDAIN OF AMBLESIDE Carrying some of the finest wolfhound blood in existence, this grand bitch has proved the leading one of her sex in competition, and is a fine matron. |
Seeing the Rathmullan hounds during their morning exercise, one could never make the blanket indictment that sometimes comes from unthinking people - that the Irish wolfhound is an overgrown dog, of little energy or hunting instinct. Their hunting instinct has been proved beyond shadow of doubt, and to see them clear ditches ten feet wide, or make a ledge six feet high, when chasing a "jack" is to realize how utterly mistaken is anyone who infers that they are slothful. Of course, not all hounds have the marvelous conditioning and hardening opportunities of the Rathmullan dogs.
As far as courage and the response to a call for action is concerned, one case at Rathmullan alone proves that Irish wolfhounds still live up to the greatest traditions of the breed. One day, Scott had the entire lot of hounds out for a run. Suddenly, he came upon a pack of wild dogs, of mixed breeds, that one finds sometimes in that part of the country. These dogs had been harassing the ranchers, killing cattle and running down horses. As soon as he saw these marauders, Scott called in his hounds. All except a young one, Gareth, came to heel immediately. Curious, Gareth went near the pack, and when he turned his back, two jumped on him.
For a second it seemed that the whole pack of seven would wipe out the lone wolfhound, but Gareth held his own. Within two minutes of the wildest sort of action, he had flung into the air four wild dogs. The three others put tails between their legs, and fled. Discovery proved that all four dogs that Gareth tossed into the air were dead of broken backs.
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| OFF TO THE SHOWS This Ford V-8 truck, carrying five hounds without crowding, takes the Rathmullan entries to shows within a radius of 500 to 600 miles |
In relating the incident, Scott explained that he did not let the other dogs interfere because they are trained to keep away from strange dogs. A strange dog may bark and growl as much as he likes, without harm from a Rathmullan wolfhound, but the stranger's number is up if he makes the mistake of jumping at one of the hounds. Incidentally, Gareth's wonderful disposition has not been harmed by the fight.
The obedience of the Irish wolfhound is quite remarkable. Indeed, were it not so there might be considerable difficulty with such a large breed. At Rathmullan, the obedience training starts early, and at the beginning consists in nothing more than making a pal out of the youngster. The puppy is allowed to follow its trainer all over the place, both inside and outside of the kennel, for a few days.
It is then taken in the house for occasional short intervals, of about an hour each. Eventually, after it has been in and out of the house quite a bit, and has learned your wishes, the youngster becomes thoroughly house broken. Incidentally, there is one rule that must never be violated if you wish to train the youngster properly: that is, to let him out to exercise after feeding time.
Rathmullan hounds also are trained to make new acquaintances in an easy manner. This saves a great deal of worry over the reactions of the dogs when they are away at the shows. The Summer is the ideal training time, for there are always quite a few guests at the house.
It is then the daily custom to take three or four hounds to the house, and to let the guests stroke and pet them. The dogs are then commanded to lie down, and remain stationary. They have been known to lie for hours at a time, despite how much the guests were moving about the house. On occasions, there have been as many as seven hounds in the big living room, yet not one moved until he had received permission, and despite considerable attention from the guests.
When out exercising, it is absolutely essential to their safety that the hounds obey instantly. For instance, it is frequently necessary to cross the main highway, and this presents a great hazard, for it teems with traffic travelling at high speed.
Manager Scott has worked out a system that works very well. When he comes to the highway, he turns his horse broadside to the road, and gives one loud blast on a whistle. This is the signal for the hounds to line up on the side of the horse farthest from the highway.
When the cars have passed, Scott rides across the road and the dogs all follow. Then even when the hounds are in their most exuberant spirits, racing and hunting in the open, they never fail to come to heel quickly when they hear two blasts on the whistle.
Their obedience seems sometimes to be combined with intelligence and a certain stern devotion among themselves. For instance, there was a case last Winter when Scott had the hounds out for a run. Gelert of Ambleside went sailing, rather recklessly, over some rough ground, and gave his back a bad twist. As a result, he lost the power of his hindquarters and could not walk.
The incident happened out in the open country, about a mile and a half from the kennels. Consequently, Scott feared that Gelert might harm himself further if left alone. So the kennel manager made the two bitches, Edain and Tara, lie down beside Gelert; one in front, the other beside him. Scott then rode back to the kennels, followed by the young hounds. It was possibly three-quarters of an hour before the manager returned to the spot with the kennel truck, yet the two bitches were lying near the stricken Gelert, in exactly the positions he had left them.
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| SIDE VIEW OF KENNEL Built on a sidehill, this building affords countless advantages in the raising of such a large breed |
The location of the Rathmullan Kennels in the Southwest is a great advantage in many respects, but it makes showing a little difficult. Aside from the New Mexico Kennel Club Show, which is held in Santa Fé every second year, the nearest all-breed exhibition is at Denver, Colorado, a matter of 500 miles.
This is considered a short distance in the West, and for that event, and for other shows slightly further away, the hounds are transported in a specially built V-8 Ford truck. It will hold four or five hounds, all loose. The tailboard is hinged to the roof, and fastened to the floor with two strong hooks, so that, while perfectly secure, all the hounds may jump out at once without crowding when the tailboard is lifted. The floor of the truck is covered with a large canvas bag, packed with about four inches of cedar shavings.
Last year Rathmullan went to three shows on the Southwest Circuit, and had to travel more than 3,200 miles to cover them. Also, due to the scarcity of Irish wolfhounds in competition, such a trip is not worthwhile unless four or more hounds are taken, because there often is not enough outside competition to provide points. Taking so many heavy dogs naturally runs up express charges. The four hounds that Rathmullan sent on the Southwest Circuit weighed a total of 950 lbs. when crated.
Aside from these unavoidable handicaps, the showing of Irish wolfhounds is very much of a pleasure. Their splendid dispositions make them a delight in the ring, and their striking size and appearance always attracts a great deal of admiration. The trimming necessarily varies, of course, in individual cases, but a great many do not grow enough coat to need much of anything taken off. Sometimes, you find a hound with a grand, rugged coat and plenty of hair over the eye and under the jaw. He will need a little trimmed off the hocks, feet, ears, and neck.
The show record of Rathmullan, during the past two years, has been remarkably good. It has exhibited at nine shows in the Southwest and has taken best of breed each time; best in the hound group six times; second in the hound group three times; best brace in show seven times; and best team in show every time that that class was contested. Also, the unofficial honor of runner-up for best in show went to Rathmullan at five shows.
In addition, the kennel's new young hound, Balbricken of Ambleside, was exhibited in the East and North last year, and piled up a great many honors. He went reserve winners at Westminster; reserve winners at Mount Kisco, N.Y.; best of breed at Benton Harbor, Michigan; reserve winners at Chicago; best of breed and second in the hound group at Utica, N.Y.; and best of breed at Troy, and might have done well in the group, which was not judged due to the sudden death in the ring of that beloved handler, Benny Lewis.
At present, the leading hound in the kennel is Ch. Edain of Ambleside. Whelped July 19, 1929, by Ch. Killabrick ex Ch. Dacin of Ambleside, she completed her championship at five shows: Lansing, Michigan, 1931; Chicago, Illinois, 1931; Benton Harbor, Michigan; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois, 1932. Also, she went best of breed at Chicago, 1931. Since completing her championship in the Spring of 1932, she has been exhibited for specials only, at ten shows; and has gone best of breed nine times; best sporting hound six times; second best sporting hound three times; and runner-up for best in show five times.
Since completing her championship this bitch never has been beaten by one of her own sex. She is without a doubt one of the best wolfhounds in the United States today.
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| GELERT OF AMBLESIDE In this head study one may note the high character of this dog which started the kennel |
She is a nice, upstanding hound, excellent in head, bone and movement; and has a nice eye and expression. There are three nice young hounds also at Rathmullan; two dogs and one bitch by Gelert of Ambleside ex Ch. Edain of Ambleside, whelped February 28, 1931. The two young hounds have been exhibited quite often in the West. Gareth of Rathmullan took winners at the New Mexico Club show; Colorado Kennel Club show; Dallas, Texas; and San Antonio, Texas, 1932. This young hound is improving all the time.
Sagramohr of Rathmullan made a grand "win" at the Los Angeles Kennel Club show, 1932, annexing three points. He is not as tall as Gareth, his litter brother, but a sound hound excelling in bone substance, and is a nice free mover. He has never been placed lower than reserve winners.
Another outstanding hound is Ch. Killfree Kilmorac of Halcyon, by Ch. Felixstowe Kilmorac Halcyon ex Ch. Felixstowe Killfree Halcyon, whelped February 28, 1930. One of the largest bitches in the United States today, she has been shown nine times, going winners eight times; best of winners six times; and completing her championship at the New Mexico Kennel Club, 1933, Fall show. This bitch excels in bone substance.
Last, but not least, is the young hound, Balbricken of Ambleside, whelped July 23, 1931, by Ch. Garragh of Ambleside ex Raglan of Ambleside.
He is the best young hound out in years, and a natural shower, excelling in movement. Scott thinks he has the best hindquarters he has ever seen on an Irish wolfhound. Grandly coated, of nice bone substance, he is a 37 inch hound and still growing.
Of fine head, excellent in eye and expression, he certainly is a hound that it is hard to fault. Balbricken has been shown very little in the West, but his only times out in 1933 brought him best of winners at the New Mexico Kennel Club show, and the same honor at the Colorado Kennel Club show, both four point events. Last June he was exhibited in the East. The Winter's rest improved him a great deal, adding about 15 pounds to his size. This makes him a truly grand specimen; so grand that last month he was placed best of all breeds at the 1934 Colorado Kennel Club exhibition.
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| THE OWNERS WITH A TEAM The Misses A.E. and M.R. White with Balbricken, Edain, Gareth and Sagramohr. The dogs are a grand lot. |
The lineage of the Rathmullan hounds runs back through Ambleside - and several other notable American kennels, which began breeding about 20 years ago - to the finest stock of England. The Lindley, Felixstowe, Ifold, and Sulhamstead families all are represented in the Ambleside stock. The plan there has been to breed from two litter sisters, Ch. Mona of Ambleside and Ch. Kathleen of Ambleside, two outstanding individuals whose ancestry traces back in direct line to Sheelah, the most notable bitch that had the exactly desired type and which proved such a keystone in the breeding of Captain G.A. Graham, the Scotchman and British Army officer, who began his praiseworthy resuscitation of the breed in 1862. Rathmullan is following these long established tenets, and is particularly fortunate this Spring in having another nice litter of nine out of that grandest matron, Ch. Edain of Ambleside. They are by Balbricken of Ambleside, and are worthy ones to carry on the glorious traditions of the Irish wolfhound.
Rathmullan should be able to set up a truly noble line of American-bred Irish wolfhounds in the ideal climate and wide spaces of the Southwest, especially as it is governed by two such real dog lovers as the Misses Amelia Elizabeth and Martha R. White.
They like the big dogs, especially, even though there is a 13-year old Scottie, named Sandy, that claims quite a bit of attention; and an Afghan hound, Zara of Prideshill - the same one that went best of breed at Westminster last year - that demands some affection.
These other dogs really are only pets, while the Irish wolfhounds are the fulfillment of a breeding ideal, and exemplars of one of the finest things that has been attempted in the breed.
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Updated 10/4/2004