The Deerhound is one in all the most ornamental of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he is seen, whether or not or not it’s amid the environment of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open fireside within the fitful light of the log fire that glints on polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out within 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 every movement and attitude, and even to the foremost prosaic mind there is regarding him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.
From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking superb sport within the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, which usually lasted for many days, were made to spherical up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the pleasure of the court, as within the reign of Queen Mary. However the organised coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during the Stuart troubles, and was left within the hands of retainers, who therefore replenished their chief’s larder.
Head:-
The pinnacle should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering additional decidedly to the nose. The muzzle ought to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level. The pinnacle ought to be long, the skull flat instead of round, 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 rest of the coat. The nose should be black (though in some blue-fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a sensible moustache of rather silky hair, and a truthful beard.
Ears:-
The ears ought to be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like the Greyhound’s, though raised above the pinnacle in excitement while not losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear should be soft, shiny, and like a mouse’s coat to the touch, and also the smaller it’s the better. It ought to haven’t any long coat or long fringe, however there is usually a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and therefore the tip. Whatever the final colour, the ears should be black or dark-coloured.
Neck and shoulders:-
The neck should be long that’s, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog. The nape of the neck ought to be terribly distinguished where the top is ready on, and also the throat ought to 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 ought to be tolerably long, tapering, and progressing to inside 1-1/two inches of the ground, and concerning 1-1/2 inches below the hocks. When the dog is still, dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it should be curved when excited, in no case to be lifted out of the road of the back. It should be well covered with hair, on the within thick and wiry, underside longer.
Eyes:-
The eyes ought to be dark: typically they’re dark brown or hazel. The eye 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 should be black.
Body: The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep rather than broad, but not too slim and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.
Legs and feet:-
The legs should be broad and flat, a smart broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, of course, as straight as possible. Feet close and compact, with well-arched toes. The hind-quarters drooping, and as broad and powerful as possible, the hips being set wide apart. The hind-legs ought to be well bent at the stifle, with nice length from the hip to the hock, that ought to be broad and flat.
Coat:-
The hair on the body, neck, and quarters should be harsh and wiry, and regarding 3 inches or four inches long; that on the top, breast, and belly is much softer. There should be a slight bushy fringe on the within of the fore and hind-legs, but nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound ought to be a shaggy dog, but not over coated.
Colour:-
Colour is a lot of a matter of fancy. However there’s no manner of doubt {that the} dark blue-grey is the foremost preferred. Next come back the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being usually preferred. Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, particularly with black points i.e., ears and muzzle are also in equal estimation.
Height:-
From twenty eight inches to thirty inches, or maybe more if there be symmetry while not coarseness, that, but, is rare. Height of bitches: From twenty six inches upwards. There will be no objection to a bitch being giant, unless she is simply too coarse, as even at her greatest height she will not approach that of the dog, and, therefore, could not rather be too massive for work, as over-huge dogs are.
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