The Deerhound is among one of the most ornamental of canines, impressively stately in addition to appealing wherever ever he's observed, might it be among the environment from the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length prior to the open hearth within the fitful light from the log fireplace which flickers upon polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out inside the open, straining about the lead as he smells the dewy atmosphere, or beautifully bounding above the crimson of his native mountains. Grace and majesty have been in his every and each motion and frame of thoughts, in addition to towards the most prosaic thoughts there's concerning him the inseparable allure of feudal romance and poetry.

From remote days the Scottish nobles valued their particular strains of Deerhound, looking for fantastic sport within the Highland forested acres. The red deer belonged by inexorable legislation to the nobleman associated with Scotland, as well as great drives, which usually lasted for a number of days, were made in order to gather the herds in to given neighbourhoods for the enjoyment of the court, like the rule of Queen Mary. However the organised coursing associated with deer by courtiers stopped 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 largest at the ears, tapering somewhat towards the eyes, with the muzzle tapering much more decidedly towards the nose. The muzzle need to be pointed, however the teeth and lips level. The head needs to be lengthy, the head flat instead of round, having a really minor rise above the eyes, but absolutely nothing approaching a stop. The skull need to be coated with reasonably lengthy hair that is much softer than the rest of the coat. The nose should be black (though in most blue-fawns the colour is blue) as well as somewhat aquiline. Within the lighter-coloured dogs a black muzzle is usually favored. There ought to be an excellent moustache of somewhat silky hair, and a fair beard.

Ears:-

The ears needs to be set on high, and, in repose, folded back like the Greyhound's, though raised above the head in enthusiasm with out losing the fold, as well as, in some instances, semi-erect.The ear must be soft, lustrous, and just like a mouse's coating to the touch, and also the smaller it is the better. It should have no long coat or long fringe, but there is usually a silky, silvery layer on the body of the ear and also 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 needs to be tolerably lengthy, tapering, as well as reaching to within just 1-1/2 ins from the ground, and about 1-1/2 ins beneath 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 become raised out of the line of the back. It needs to be very well covered with hair, on the inside heavy and wiry, bottom lengthier.

Eyes:-

Their eyes needs to be dark: usually they're dark brown or even hazel. The eye is reasonably complete having a soft appearance in repose, but an enthusiastic, far-away gaze once the dog is roused. The rims on the eyelids needs to be black.

Body: The body and general formation is that of a Greyhound of larger size and bone. Chest deep instead of wide, although not too narrow and flat-sided. The loin well arched and drooping to the tail.

Legs and feet:-

The legs needs to be broad and flat, an excellent broad forearm and elbow being desirable. Fore-legs, obviously, as straight as you possibly can. Feet close up as well as compact, along with well-arched toes. The hind-quarters drooping, and as broad and powerful as it can be, the hips staying set wide apart. The hind-legs needs to be well bent along at the stifle, with excellent length through the hip towards the hock, which should be broad and flat.

Coat:-

The hair on the body, neck, and quarters must be hard as well as wiry, and about 3 ins or even 4 ins long; that around the head, breast, and belly is significantly softer. There must be a small hairy fringe within the fore as well as hind-legs, but nothing at all getting close to the feathering of a Collie. The Deerhound should be a shaggy dog, although not over coated.

Colour:-

Colour is quite a bit reliant on fancy. But there's no manner of question that the dark blue-grey is regarded as favored. Next come the darker and lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally preferred. Yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, particularly with black points i.e., ears and muzzle may also be in equal estimation.

Height:-

From 28 ins to 30 ins, or maybe more if there is balance without coarseness, which, nevertheless, is actually uncommon. Height of bitches: From 26 ins up-wards. There might be no objection with a bitch being large, unless of course she's too coarse, because even at her biggest height she doesn't approach that surrounding the dog, and, consequently, couldn't well be too large for work, as over-big dogs are.