Tallest of all dog breeds, a keen-sighted hound used in Ireland to hunt wolves and other game and noted for its speed and strength.
An ancient breed, first mentioned about the 2nd century AD, it is similar in build to the greyhound but far more powerful. The female, substantially smaller than the male, stands at least 30 in. (76 cm) tall and weighs 105 lb (48 kg) or more. The rough coat is long on the brows and underjaw, and the colours include gray, brindle, red-brown, black, and white. The dog is valued as a gentle, even-tempered companion.