The Deerhound is one of the maximum decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque anyplace he’s visible, whether or not or not it’s amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at expensive length before the open fire in the fitful light of the log hearth that sparkles on polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out in the open, straining on the leash as he scents the dewy air, or gracefully bounding over the pink of his local hills. Grace and majesty are in his each motion and mindset, and even to the most prosaic mind there is about him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.
From faraway days the Scottish nobles loved their traces of Deerhound, searching for glorious game inside the Highland forests. The red deer belonged via inexorable regulation to the kings of Scotland, and high-quality drives, which often lasted for numerous days, were made to round up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the satisfaction of the court docket, as inside the reign of Queen Mary. But the organised coursing of deer by means of courtiers ceased in the course of the Stuart troubles, and changed into left within the palms of retainers, who therefore replenished their leader’s larder.
Head:-
The head must be broadest on the ears, tapering barely to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be pointed, but the enamel and lips degree. The head need to be lengthy, the cranium flat rather than round, with a totally slight upward push over the eyes, but with nothing drawing near a stop. The cranium need to be lined with moderately long hair that is softer than the rest of the coat. The nostril should be black (though in some blue-fawns the colour is blue) and barely aquiline. In the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There have to be a terrific moustache of as an alternative silky hair, and a truthful beard.
Ears:-
The ears must be set on excessive, and, in repose, folded again like the Greyhound’s, although raised above the top in pleasure without dropping the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The ear should be soft, glossy, and prefer a mouse’s coat to the touch, and the smaller it is the better. It ought to haven’t any long coat or lengthy fringe, but there is usually a silky, silvery coat at the body of the ear and the top. Whatever the general color, the ears have to be black or darkish-coloured.
Neck and shoulders:-
The neck ought to be lengthy this is, of the duration that befits the Greyhound man or woman of the dog. The nape of the neck ought to be very prominent in which the pinnacle is ready on, and the throat must be easy-cut at the perspective and distinguished. The shoulders have to be properly sloped, the blades nicely lower back, with not an excessive amount of width among them.
Stern:-
Stern have to be tolerably lengthy, tapering, and reaching to inside 1-1/2 inches of the ground, and approximately 1-half inches beneath the hocks. When the dog continues to be, dropped perfectly straight down, or curved. When in motion it have to be curved whilst excited, in no case to be lifted out of the line of the back. It need to be well protected with hair, on the internal thick and wiry, underside longer.
Eyes:-
The eyes must be darkish: typically they may be darkish brown or hazel. The eye is moderately full with a soft look in repose, however a eager, a ways-away gaze when the dog is roused. The rims of the eyelids should be black.
Body: The frame and popular formation is that of a Greyhound of larger length and bone. Chest deep as opposed to large, however no longer too narrow and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.
Legs and toes:-
The legs have to be huge and flat, a very good large forearm and elbow being acceptable. Fore-legs, of direction, as instantly as possible. Feet close and compact, with properly-arched feet. The hind-quarters drooping, and as wide and powerful as feasible, the hips being set huge apart. The hind-legs need to be nicely bent at the stifle, with excellent duration from the hip to the hock, which should be broad and flat.
Coat:-
The hair on the frame, neck, and quarters need to be harsh and wiry, and approximately three inches or four inches lengthy; that on the head, breast, and belly is a good deal softer. There have to be a mild bushy fringe at the internal of the fore and hind-legs, however nothing drawing close to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy canine, but now not over lined.
Colour:-
Colour is much a count of fancy. But there is no way of doubt that the dark blue-grey is the maximum preferred. Next come the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being typically favored. Yellow and sandy-red or purple-fawn, especially with black points i.E., ears and muzzle also are in equal estimation.
Height:-
From 28 inches to 30 inches, or even greater if there be symmetry with out coarseness, which, however, is rare. Height of bitches: From 26 inches upwards. There may be no objection to a bitch being huge, until she is too coarse, as even at her greatest height she does not technique that of the canine, and, consequently, could not well be too massive for paintings, as over-big puppies are.