| The Russian Greyhound
The Russian Greyhound
is principally distinguished by its dark-brown or iron-grey colour — its
short semi-erect ears — its thin lanky body — long but muscular legs — soft
thick hair, and the hair of its tail forming a spiral twist, or fan,
(thence called the fan-tailed dog,) and as he runs having a very
pleasing appearance. He hunts by scent as well as by sight, and,
therefore, small packs of this kind are sometimes kept, against which
the wolf, or even the bear, would stand little chance. He is principally
used for the chase of the deer or the wolf, but occasionally follows the
hare. The deer is the principal object of pursuit, and for this he is
far better adapted than to contend with the ferocious wolf. His
principal faults are want of activity and dexterity. He is met with in
most parts of Russia, where his breed is carefully preserved by the
nobility, with whom coursing is a favourite diversion.
Some dogs of this breed were not long ago introduced into Ireland. Back to: Greyhound Dog
Back to: Dog Types
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