THE DECORATIVE DEERHOUND.
Posted: February 8th, 2010 | Category: PetsThe Deerhound is one in all the most decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he’s seen, whether it be amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open fireside in the fitful lightweight 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 each movement and attitude, and even to the foremost 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 superb sport within the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, that often lasted for several days, were created to spherical 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 throughout the Stuart troubles, and was left in the hands of retainers, who thus replenished their chief’s larder.
Head:-
The head ought to be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering a lot of decidedly to the nose. The muzzle should be pointed, however the teeth and lips level. The head 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 color is blue) and slightly aquiline. Within the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There ought to 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 higher than the pinnacle in excitement while not 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 bit, and therefore the smaller it’s the better. It ought to 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 ought to 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 ought to be very distinguished where the head is set 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 an excessive amount of width between them.
Stern:-
Stern ought to be tolerably long, tapering, and progressing to inside 1-1/2 inches of the ground, and about one-one/a pair of inches below the hocks. When the dog continues to be, 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 coated with hair, on the inside thick and wiry, underside longer.
Eyes:-
The eyes ought to be dark: generally they are dark brown or hazel. The attention 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 ought to 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 slim and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.
Legs and feet:-
The legs ought to be broad and flat, a good broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, of course, as straight as possible. Feet shut 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 should be well bent at the stifle, with great 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 head, breast, and belly is much softer. There should be a small hairy 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, however not over coated.
Color:-
Color is abundant a matter of fancy. But there is no manner of doubt {that the} dark blue-grey is the foremost preferred. Next return 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 in equal estimation.
Height:-
From twenty eight inches to thirty inches, or perhaps a lot of if there be symmetry while not coarseness, that, but, is rare. Height of bitches: From twenty six inches upwards. There can be no objection to a bitch being large, unless she is just too coarse, as even at her greatest height she will not approach that of the dog, and, thus, might not rather be too huge for work, as over-massive dogs are.
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