THE DECORATIVE DEERHOUND

The Deerhound is one among the foremost decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he's seen, whether or not it's amid the environment of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open hearth within the fitful light of the log fire that flickers on polished armor and tarnished tapestry; enter 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's about him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.

From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking glorious sport within the Highland forests. The Cervus elaphus belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, which regularly lasted for several days, were made to collect the herds into given neighborhoods for the pleasure of the court, as within the reign of Queen Mary. But the organized coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during the Stuart troubles and was left within the hands of retainers, who thus replenished their chief's larder.

Head:-

The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be pointed, but the teeth and lips level. the top should belong, the skull flat instead of round, with a really slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a stop. The skull should be coated with moderately long hair which is softer than the remainder of the coat. The nose should be black (though in some blue-fawns the color is blue) and slightly aquiline. within the lighter-colored dogs, a black muzzle is preferred. There should be an honest mustache of rather silky hair and a good beard.

Ears:-

The ears should be assault high, and, in repose, folded back just like the Greyhound's, though raised above the pinnacle in excitement without losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect. The ear should be soft, glossy, and sort of a mouse's coat to the touch, and therefore the smaller it's the higher. It should don't have any long coat or long fringe, but there's often a silky, silvery coat on the body of the ear and also the tip. regardless of the general color, the ears should be black or dark-colored.

Neck and shoulders:-

The neck should belong that's, of the length that befits the Greyhound character of the dog. The nape of the neck should be very prominent where the top is about on, and therefore the throat should be clean-cut at the angle and prominent. The shoulders should be sloped, the blades well back, with not an excessive amount of width between them.

Stern:-

Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and reaching within 1-1/2 inches of the bottom, and about 1-1/2 inches below the hocks. When the dog remains, 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 rear. It should be covered with hair, on the within thick and wiry, underside longer.

Eyes:-

The eyes should be dark: generally, they're 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 should be black.

Body: The body and general formation are that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep instead of broad, but 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 decent broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Forelegs, 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 should be bent at the stifle, with great length from the hip 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 far softer. There should be a small hairy fringe on the within of the fore and hind legs, but nothing approaching the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, but not overcoated.

Colour:-

Colour is way a matter of fancy. But there's no manner of doubt that the dark blue-grey is that the most preferred. Next, come the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally 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 30 inches, or perhaps more, if there be symmetry without coarseness, which, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There will be no objection to a bitch being large, unless she is just too coarse, as even at her greatest height she doesn't approach that of the dog, and, therefore, couldn't otherwise be too big for work, as over-big dogs are.