| THE DECORATIVE DEERHOUND.
The Deerhound is one of the most decorative of dogs, impressively
stately and picturesque wherever he is seen, whether it be
amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious
length before the open hearth in the fitful light of the log
fire that flickers 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 every movement and attitude,
and even to the most prosaic mind there is about him the inseparable
glamour of feudal romance and poetry.
From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains
of Deerhound, seeking glorious sport in the Highland forests.
The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland,
and great drives, which often lasted for several days, were
made to round up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the
pleasure of the court, as in the reign of Queen Mary. But
the organised coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during
the Stuart troubles, and was left in 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 head should be long, the skull flat rather than
round, with a very 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 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 good moustache of rather
silky hair, and a fair beard.
Ears:-
The ears should be set on high, and, in repose, folded back
like the Greyhound's, though raised above the head in excitement
without losing the fold, and even, in some cases, semi-erect.The
ear should be soft, glossy, and like a mouse's coat to the
touch, and the smaller it is 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 the tip. Whatever the general
colour, 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 prominent where the head is set on, and the throat
should be clean-cut at the angle and prominent. The shoulders
should be well sloped, the blades well back, with not too
much width between them.
Stern:-
Stern should be tolerably long, tapering, and reaching to
within 1-1/2 inches of the ground, and about 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 line of the
back. It should be well covered with hair, on the inside thick
and wiry, underside longer.
Eyes:-
The eyes should be dark: generally they are 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 rims
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 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 possible,
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
head, breast, and belly is much softer. There should be a
slight hairy fringe on the inside of the fore and hind-legs,
but nothing approaching to the feathering of a Collie. The
Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, but not over coated.
Colour:-
Colour is much a matter of fancy. But there is no manner
of doubt that the dark blue-grey is 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 also
in equal estimation.
Height:-
From 28 inches to 30 inches, or even more if there be symmetry
without coarseness, which, however, is rare. Height of bitches:
From 26 inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch
being large, unless she is too coarse, as even at her greatest
height she does not approach that of the dog, and, therefore,
could not well be too big for work, as over-big dogs are.
|
