THE DECORATIVE DEERHOUND
The Deerhound is one in all the foremost decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he is seen, whether or not it’s amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open hearth within the fitful lightweight of the log hearth that glints on polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out in the open, straining at the leash as he scents the dewy air, or gracefully bounding over the purple of his native hills. Grace and majesty are in his each movement and attitude, and even to the most prosaic mind there’s concerning him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.
From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking superb sport in the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and nice drives, which usually lasted for several days, were made to spherical up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the pleasure of the court, as within the reign of Queen Mary. But the organised coursing of deer by courtiers ceased throughout the Stuart troubles, and was left in the hands of retainers, who so replenished their chief’s larder.
Head:-
The top should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle ought to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level. The head should be long, the skull flat rather than spherical, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a stop. The skull ought to be coated with moderately long hair which is softer than the remainder of the coat. The nose ought to be black (though in some blue-fawns the color is blue) and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair, and a truthful beard.
Ears:-
The ears should be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like the Greyhound’s, though raised higher than the pinnacle in excitement while not losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear ought to be soft, glossy, and sort of a mouse’s coat to the bit, and the smaller it is the better. It should haven’t any long coat or long fringe, however there is usually a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and also the tip. No matter the overall color, the ears should be black or dark-coloured.
Neck and shoulders:-
The neck ought to be long that’s, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog. The nape of the neck should be very outstanding where the head is ready on, and the throat should be clean-cut at the angle and prominent. The shoulders ought to be well sloped, the blades well back, with not too much width between them.
Stern:-
Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and aiming to inside 1-one/2 inches of the bottom, and concerning 1-1/two inches below the hocks. When the dog is still, dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it ought to be curved when excited, in no case to be lifted out of the road of the back. It ought to be well coated with hair, on the inside thick and wiry, underside longer.
Eyes:-
The eyes ought to be dark: usually they are dark brown or hazel. The attention is moderately full with a soft look in repose, but a keen, far-away gaze when the dog is roused. The edges of the eyelids ought to be black.
Body: The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep instead of broad, but not too slim and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.
Legs and feet:-
The legs ought to be broad and flat, a smart broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, in fact, as straight as possible. Feet close and compact, with well-arched toes. The hind-quarters drooping, and as broad and powerful as potential, the hips being set wide apart. The hind-legs should be well bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip to the hock, which should be broad and flat.
Coat:-
The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be harsh and wiry, and about 3 inches or 4 inches long; that on the top, breast, and belly is a lot of softer. There should be a slight furry fringe on the within of the fore and hind-legs, however nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, however not over coated.
Color:-
Color is abundant a matter of fancy. However there is no manner of doubt {that the} dark blue-grey is the most preferred. Next come back the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being typically preferred. Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, especially with black points i.e., ears and muzzle are in equal estimation.
Height:-
From twenty eight inches to thirty inches, or perhaps additional if there be symmetry while not coarseness, that, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There will be no objection to a bitch being massive, unless she is just too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does not approach that of the dog, and, thus, could not otherwise be too big for work, as over-big dogs are.
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