THE DECORATIVE DEERHOUND.

The Deerhound is one amongst the most ornamental of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he’s seen, whether or not it’s amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open fireplace within the fitful light of the log fire that flickers 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 angle, and even to the most prosaic mind there’s regarding him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.

From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking wonderful 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 round 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 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 top should be long, the skull flat instead of round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, however with nothing approaching a stop. The skull should be coated with moderately long hair that is softer than the rest of the coat. The nose ought to be black (though in some blue-fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline. In the lighter-colored dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a sensible 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 on top of the head in excitement while not  losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear ought to be  soft, glossy, and like a mouse’s coat to the bit, and the smaller  it’s the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there  is often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and therefore the tip.  Whatever the overall color, the ears should be black or dark-coloured.

Neck and shoulders:-

The neck should be long that is, of the length  that befits the Greyhound character of the dog.  The nape of the neck should be very distinguished where the top is about on, and 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 an excessive amount of width between them.

Stern:-

Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and progressing to among 1-one/2 inches of the bottom, and regarding one-one/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 lined 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 eye is moderately full with a soft look in repose, but a keen, way-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 instead of broad, however not too narrow and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.

Legs and feet:-

The legs should be broad and flat, a good 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 attainable, the hips being set wide apart. The hind-legs ought to be well bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip to the hock, that should be broad and flat.

Coat:-

The hair on the body, neck, and quarters ought to be harsh and wiry, and about 3 inches or four inches long; that on the head, breast, and belly is abundant softer. There should be a small hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind-legs, but nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound ought to be a shaggy dog, however not over coated.

Color:-

Color is much a matter of fancy. However there’s no manner of doubt  {that the} dark blue-grey is the foremost preferred. Next come the darker and  lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being usually preferred.  Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, especially with black points i.e.,  ears and muzzle are in equal estimation.

Height:-

From 28 inches to thirty inches, or maybe more if there be symmetry without coarseness, that, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch being giant, unless she is just too coarse, as even at her greatest height she will not approach that of the dog, and, thus, may not otherwise be too massive for work, as over-huge dogs are.

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