Deerhound 

 

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There can be few dogs which  command the affection of people who have never owned a single specimen of the breed  than does the Deerhound, Once as the Royal Dog of Scotland, there was a time when no person below the rank of Earl was permitted by law to own a Deerhound. In fact, the breed was held in such high esteem that a *leash of Deerhounds* was the only payment by which a noble lord condemmed to death might purchase his reprieve ! Revered for his courage and tenacity as a stag hunter, plus his devoted loyalty to the Highland chieftains and their kin, it was not until the introduction of imprved firearms that his skills were no longer in great demand. It is pleasing to note that the Deerhound of today retains to a remarkable degree the quality, character, and appearance of his ancestors. He is quiet, dignified, keen and alert, possessed of great persistence and indomitable courage when required, along with unswerving loyalty and an insatiable desire for human companionship. Despite his size, the Deerhound fits comfortable into any household, wher he is a special favourite with children. The Deerhound enjoys as much exercise as you can give him. He equires only moderate grooming, having an easily managed coat of a rough, wiry texture that does not readily harbour dirt.      (( A breed of very great attraction)).

 

General    Appearance Resembles a roughcoated gryhound of larger size and bone.

Characteristics    The build suggests the unique combination of speed, power and endurance necessary to pull down a stag, but general bearing is one gentle dignity.

Temperament     Gentle and friendly. Obedient and easy to train because eager to please. Docile and good - temperament, never suspicious, aggressive or nervous. Carries himself with quiet dignity.

 

Head and skull   Broadest at ears, tapering slightly to eyes, muzzle tapering  more decidedly to nose, lips level. Head long, skull flat rather than round, with very slight rise over eyes, with no stop. Skull coated with moderately long hair, softer than rest of coat. Nose slightly aquiline and back. In lighter coloured dogs black muzzle prefrred. Good moustache of rather silky hair and some beard.

Eys    Dark. Generally dark brown or haze. Light eyes undesirable. Moderately full with a soft look in repose, but keen far away look when dog is roused. Rims black.

Ears    Set on high and in repose folled back. In excitement raised above head without losing the fold and in some cases semi - erect. A big thick ear hanging flat to head or a prick ear most undesirable. Ear soft, glossy and like a mouse's  coat to thouch; the smaller the better, no long coat or fringe. Ears black or dark coloured.

 

Mouth    Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite,  i. e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

Neck    Very strong with a good reach sometimes disguised by mane. Nape of neck very prominent where`head set on, no throatiness.

ForeQuarters    Shoulders well laid, not too far apart, Loaded and straight shoulders undesirable. Forelegs straight, broad and flat, a good broad forearm and elbow being desirable.

Body    Body and general formation that of a greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep rather than broad, not to narrow and flat sided. Loin well arched and drooping to tail. flat topline undesirable.

         

 

HindQuarters    Drooping, broad and powerful, hips set wide apart.Hindlegs well bent at stifle with great length from hip to hock. Bone broad and flat.

Feet    Compact and well knuckled. Nails strong.

Tail    Long, thick at root, tapering and reaching almost to the ground. When standing dropped perfectly straight down or curved. Curved when moving, never lifted above line of back. Well covered with hair; on upper side thick and wiry, on under side longer, and towards end a slight fringe is not objectionable. A curl or ring tail undesirable.

Gait / Movement    Easy, active and true, with a long stride.

 

Coat    Shaggy, but not overcoated. Woolly coat unacceptable, The correct coat is thick, closelying, ragged; harsh or crisp to the touch. Hair on body, neck and quarters harsh and wiry about 7 cms ( 3ins )  to  10 cms * 4 ins * long; that on head breast and belly much softer. A slight hairy fringe on inside of fore - and hindlegs.

Colour    Dark blue-gry, darker end lighter greys or brindles and yellows, sandy-red or red faws with black points. a white chest, white toes and a slight white tip to stern are permissible but the less white the better, since it is a selfcoloured dog. A white blaze on head or white collar unacceptable.

         

 

Size    Height: dogs: minimum desirable height at winters 76 cms * 30ins *. bitches: 71 cms  * 28 ins *.  Weight: dogs about 45. 5 kgs     ( 100 lbs ); bitches:  about 36. 5 kgs  * 80 lbs *.

Faults    Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note    Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

 

 

 

 

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