SHOWING AND GROOMING THE by Robert Hunter

Dog show judgments are an aesthetic breeds: the , Afghan, experience, based upon certain observ- , , , able appearances which indicate sound- and more recently the . This ness of body, condition, and breed group of is referred to as "sight typicalness. The appearances judged are " and are different from other at all times relative: relative to the breeds because of their racing judge's personal experiences, relative conformation. to other dogs in the breed and relative As a racing the most typical to the "standard." Saying this is to conformation impression should be form- assure the reader that whatever is pre- ed by the depth of chest, tucked-up sented in this article as truth and/or belly, slight arching over the loins, authority is relative to the author's long rear legs with muscular thighs, opinion, tempered by written sources well-bent or angulated stifles and well and personal observations. let down hocks. Further, an impression The description of grooming and of "off balance" of the forequarters showing practices outlined will follow should be observed. All racing dogs' the "List of Points in Order of Merit" forelegs are ahead of the center of found in the A. K. C. IW standard. gravity of the dog, thus presenting the "off balance" appearance when viewed in 1. Typical. The Irish profile. By comparison, in the working Wolfhound is a rough-coated breeds the chest protrudes in front of Greyhound like breed, the the forelegs, thus positioning the tallest of the forelegs directly under the center of hounds and remarkable in gravity. The neck and back should be combining power and swift- long and slightly arched (the bitch has ness. a more level back than the dog). The long back serves the functional purpose The historical references used to of racing by providing sufficient describe the IW are often stretch for the "double suspension" interchangeable with six other gallop found only in coursing breeds.

rec-Rectangleofidealizedtinaleofdeck proportionsforsighthounds- forconformationand grooming

Illustration 1 -- Proportions of the Irish Wolfhound The appearance of swiftness and power can only be judged subjectively in the show ring. Altogether the Irish Wolfhound should have a general racing appearance but should be considerably more massive and powerful than the oth- er sight hounds, and be taller than the others. Grooming and showing the IW should be consistent with demonstrating the typical look of the breed. 2. Great size and commanding appearance.

While size is not subjective the appearance of size is often so. One simple handling technique which gives the appearance of size is holding the IW's head up by putting the collar up behind the ears (Illustration 2). Train the IW to stand as in Illus- tration 3. It is a relaxed and comfort- able stance, which will show him at his best. The forelegs should be directly under the shoulder (dashed line). The rear feet should be aligned with an imaginary line from the rear of the thighs (dashed line). From the rear view the legs should be set as illus- trated, and not wider apart as a Illustration 2 – Doberman or guard dog. To do this Appearance of Height Changed actually lowers the height of the IW. By Position of Head

Illustration 3 -- Posing the Irish Wolfhound Illustration 4 -- The Irish Wolfhound Heads

A grooming technique which gives the The head should be trimmed if necessary appearance of size is to show more "day to enhance the silhouette of the long light" under the IW by combing down the head, the pronounced occipital crown chest and underside hair and by gently and the rather “squarish” muzzle. It stripping out the belly and most of the may be necessary to strip the head from surrounding hair. just behind the stop to the rear of the crown, blending into the base of 3. Movements easy and active. the neck and shoulders. Depending on the animal, it may be necessary to thin To properly show the IW for movement out the bushy hair -- especially the it is suggested that you read McDowell soft fly away hair over the eyes. This Lyon's description of gait in the hairy adornment should give a charac- Complete Irish Wolfhound. A further teristic IW appearance and not be cute treatment is found in Mr. Lyon's book, or look like somebody's forgotten motor The Dog in Action, which is perhaps the cap. best treatment on the subject written The ears should be stripped of all to date. hair, and the ear base and inner ear Movement is probably the most mis- should be tidied up and look cared for. understood judgment in dog showing. It Just below the jaw and upper is for this reason that these well il- neck it is advisable to severely lustrated and clearly written strip the bushiness and to blend in expositions are recommended. One the neck hair into empirical suggestion that the reader can use to determine gait is to observe tracts left in snow or wet sand as the dog gaits freely. A properly moving dog will leave a "single track," one paw print immediately adjacent or on top of the preceding print. 4. Head, long and level, carried high.

The dog and bitch heads show what is often referred to as "dogginess" or "bitchiness" in type. Many times a judge will remark, "I like a doggy dog and a bitchy bitch," to express a preference for clearly differentiated sex appearance. The head oftentimes gives the clearest indication of this Illustration 5 distinction (Illustration 4). Head Grooming Diagram the chest and forequarters in a clean by stripping away some of the fuzz so unbroken line. This practice will off- that the pastern bend can be seen set the head beautifully and often will (Illustration 6). give the allusion of length to the neck. 6. Thighs long and muscular; Copious chin hair seems most charac- second thighs, well muscled, teristic of the dog, however some stifles nicely bent. bitches have a good deal of facial furnishings. In either case, chin hair The importance of the thighs and gives the IW a characteristic their appearance cannot be overempha- appearance. Prior to showing the IW, sized. In addition to the long muscular the chin hair should be cleaned and thigh being typical for the breed, it is combed. Generally, excessive hair about one of the more elegant form/function the jaws, below the ears and on the conformation concerns. The thighs are upper neck can easily hide a good head. the drive shaft of the racing dog. It is suggested that this hair be The preparation of the thighs requires removed by stripping and/or by using sound decision when preparing to groom. thinning shears to blend it into the Often excessive undercoat and rest of the head (Illustration 5). fluffy hair abound on the stifle edge of the leg. This hair can disguise good angulation or, even worse, create a sil- 5. Forelegs, heavily boned, houette not consistent with the quite straight; elbows well standard. Much of this hair can be set under. stripped away, but be careful not to scalp the leg. Equally important is the The forelegs should drop down from rear of the leg. Many IWs have the shoulders straight and parallel to pantaloons that give a rear-end each other. Excessive hair on the fore- heaviness that is undesirable. Heavy legs can give the appearance of cobbi- stripping may be required here; however, ness, or worse, courseness. The tufts go about it with caution. Step away of hair at the elbows should conform to from the task and make constant the function of the elbow, and not give comparison between your results and the impression of a hairy flag. Strip your mind's image. Exposing the lower excessive hair from the elbow so that stifle angulation and the crisp lines of it has a clean appearance. Attention the hock can spruce up an average IW and to the pastern make him a should consist winner. of tidying

Illustration 6 -- The Foreleg and Rear Leg Terrier coat. This type of terrier coat is developed and maintained by intensive stripping. This would seem anathema to most IW owners and is not suggested; however, stripping in judicious dabs may be one way to develop a good coat. Excessive baths also make a wiry coat unobtainable. Hard brushing with coat-powder is sat- isfactory for most cleaning. 8. Body, long, well ribbed up, with ribs well sprung, and great breadth across hips.

Again, a particularly characteristic impression of the sight is the long body. To see a racing dog in the full double suspension gallop -- tucked up and full out -- is to see the func- tional necessity for the length of body. The amount of ground covered in the full out position is a sight to be- hold. The long body stretch is the aes- thetic of function. To show length of body pose the IW so that his hind foot is in line with an imaginary line dropped vertically to the floor and just touching the rear groomed ungroomed thigh and the front of the rear foot. (See Illustration 1) If the foot is brought forward of that line, it will Illustration 7 lower the dog's rear quarters and make The Rear View him look smaller in size and can con- fuse the body length with the thigh and Illustration 7 showing the thighs thus make the animal look structurally from the rear is presented to give the weak. reader the judge's view when he con- Ribbed out does not mean "barrel siders the rear quarters. The ungroomed chested." On the deep chested dog, the and uncombed thighs shown on the right ribs characteristically are directed to give the impression that the dog is the rear of the dog, winding back to possibly overweight or not "true." This the breast bone, or sternum, in a some- results from an overgrowth of undercoat what flat three dimensional curve. Rib- and a lack of grooming. The general bed out refers to the capaciousness of impression is one of "roundness." The the curve or, in some ways, the total illustration on the right is the same length. dog without an abundance of hair. 9. Loins arched, belly well 7. Coat, rough and hard, drawn up. specially wiry and long over eyes and under jaw. Loins arched and belly well drawn up are characteristics of the racing dog. With exception there seem to be This conformation can easily be seen on many IWs without "wiry" coats. The the Greyhound. Essentially, the IW has cause of this difficulty is hard to the same conformation but is consider- diagnose. What comes to mind when ably larger in scale and in proportion. studying the IW standard is the The IW's rough coat can disguise the description of the Irish Illustration 8 -- Body Grooming Diagram

"tuck up" and give a long tubular ap- is the exhibitor's judgment as to pearance which is not characteristic. where to and where not to venture in Stripping or trimming the belly should grooming. Experience is the best ad- be given constant and gentle attention visor. for the show IW. The major stripping at the belly should blend into the 11. Feet, moderately large and thighs and chest and give a smooth line. round; toes, close, well (Illustration 8). arched.

10.Ears, small,with The feet as a functional aspect of the Greyhound like carriage. sight hound are an interesting subject, and require thoughtful concern. Unlike the Captain Graham's Working Stud Book feet of the which should be has enough entries about ears to give "thick," compact, and round to aid him in the reader the notion that they were staying with the hunt; the feet of the his major concern. The IW should sight hound should aid him in the specific have a rose-ear. Many do not. All the function of racing. There is conflict grooming and concern given to this as- between the standard and the functional pect of showing is for the most part conformation requirements. The second and wasted. Generally it is recommended third toes (especially of the rear feet) that all long hair on the IW ear be should be longer than the first and fourth stripped away and all the bushy hair toes. The length of the rear feet should around the ear base be trimmed. This provide a leverage gain. There is will give the dog a trimmed look and obviously a limit to this leverage and de-emphasize the size of the ear, but length, limited by the particular animal may also amplify a bad ear or ear set. and his conformation. However, Grooming the ear as well as all groom- proportional length is the best functional ing must be consistent with the total conformation requirement of the feet. appearance of the particular dog. It Yet, there is an inherent Illustration 9 -- The Foot fault and weakness in the long foot. back beyond the foot surface. Nails The foot with well arched toes or which "clickety'clickety" as the dog "knuckled-up" that is esteemed by many walks are too long, and can eventually because it gives thickness to the foot, splay the foot and generally weaken the resiliency and general staying sound- foot. Excessive hair about the foot and ness, can be lost in the long foot. And pasterns should be trimmed. The slight the further development of the long bend in the pasterns should be made foot will eventually evolve into a observable as it is characteristic of "paper foot" or one which is exception- the racing animal. ally thin and structurally weak. It is therefore a relative choice between the 12. Neck, long, well arched long foot for function, and the not too and very strong. long foot for soundness. Chapter 11 of Mr. Lyon's, book, The There is no doubt that one of the Dog in Motion, is recommended for its strongest characteristics of the sight treatment of feet. This chapter deals hound is the length of neck. In a full with balanced fronts, and makes the suspension gallop,' the neck stretches choice between knuckled up and long out allowing the center of gravity to feet more understandable. For showing push forward and thus propels the ani- the IW, the grooming of the feet is mal forward. If there is any question very important. Illustration 9 shows two about the function of a neck of in- feet; the one is groomed (trimmed) and creased length, closely watch a grey- the other is not groomed. The silhouette hound race from track side and notice of the ungroomed foot can give the the stretching and throwing of the appearance of a paper foot, overly large Weight- forward so as to achieve speed. and ugly. The IW's nails should be cut The IW, should have a proportionally long and well curved or arched neck. 14. Shoulders, muscular, set The appearance of length can be in- sloping. creased by trimming away the excessive hair about the base of the skull and at Ideally in the Irish Wolfhound and the throat immediately adjacent to the the other coursing hounds the shoulder lower jaw (not the chin furnishings) blade should be set at a 45 degree an- AND SMOOTHLY blending the hair into the gle. The only way to determine the an- heavy coat on the shoulders and chest gle of a dog's shoulders is to feel for (see illustrations 5 and 8). In other it. Without proper angulation the dog words, reducing the appearance of the would exhibit a very strange gait ei- size of the head and by smoothly blend- ther from the head-on position or the ing the coat from head to shoulders and side position. Grooming can neither chest will make the neck appear longer hide nor minimize a bad set of shoul- and stronger. Again the means of ampli- ders. However, the exhibitor should see fying the neck is a matter of judgment to it that the hair on the shoulders is as to what looks best on a particular stripped sufficiently so that the hair dog. Perhaps the best way to fully ap- lies flat against the shoulder blade preciate the unique difference between and is not teased out so that it a long and a short neck is to compare presents a ballooned or barrel effect. working breeds to the coursing hounds. The function of the two groups is dif- 15. Tail, long and slightly ferent, and one of the most outstanding curved. differences is the conformation of the neck. Elaboration of this difference Clearly and simply, the tail should is a responsibility of the groomer. be long and straight. Of course, there can be some variation, but a short tail 13. Chest, very deep, or a ring tail is considered objection- moderately broad. able. Some grooming of the tail should be done because of the excessive hair The chest like the neck is a charac- on some dogs at the base of the tail. teristic difference between the This grooming should blend the base of coursing hound and all other breeds. the tail smoothly into the tail proper. The conformation of a coursing dog In other words, the appearance of the is characterized by a giant chest tail should be the relative same thick- juxtaposed to the tucked up loins. ness throughout the entire tail, with Working breeds have the tendency only a slight tapering. towards breadth of chest while the coursing breeds have the tendency 16. Eyes, dark. towards depth of chest. The depth of chest, needed for heart space, should This is clearly stated. The prefer- look as though it belongs to the dog ence is for dark eyes. A personal ob- and not some enormous addition to his servation is that darker coated dogs underside. The front view should look with light eyes look strange, as their comfortably wide, but the rib cage eyes stand out in great contrast while should be more slab sided than barrel a light coated dog seems to be able to shaped. By comparing the to carry light eyes a little better. an IW of the same size reveals a great deal about the conformation of the chest To summarize showing and grooming and the conformation of the IW in the Irish Wolfhound, it is necessary to general. The two breeds are distinctly remind the exhibitor that dog showing different. In grooming, that is just that, a show. Your-preparation difference should be amplified by comb- for the show should be observable in ing down the hair of the chest and order to show the particular dog and stripping down the rib cage hair so the breed to the best advantage. After that it lies flat along the cage. As all your dog is something special. Last noted above, stripping away some of the of all relax and enjoy the show; it can fluffy hair from the loins can add to be fun. After all, the show is for peo- the appearance the chest size. ple; the dogs would rather stay home.