Scottish Deerhound

History Once known as the "Royal Dog of Scotland," the Scottish Deerhound was permitted to be owned only by those people holding the rank of earl or above. The breed was highly regarded for its courage and tenacity as a stag hunter and its loyalty to the clan chieftain and his kin. The Scottish Deerhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1949. General Appearance and Characteristics The Scottish Deerhound possesses the general body for-mation that is found in the Greyhound, though they are larger in size, heavier in bone and rough coated. Head and Skull The long head is broadest at the ears and narrows slightly to the eyes. The pointed muzzle tapers decidedly to the nose. A black muzzle is preferred in lighter-colored dogs. The lips are level. The flat skull has a very slight rise over the eyes, but nothing approaching a stop. TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a level bite. EYES - The dark eyes are generally dark brown, brown or hazel in color. The moderately full eye has a soft look when the dog is in repose and a keen, faraway look when the dog is aroused. Eyelid rims are black. Serious fault: Very light-colored eyes. NOSE - The slightly aquiline nose is black, and may be blue in some blue fawns. EARS - The ears are set on high. The smaller the ear, the better. When the dog is in repose, the ears are folded back like a Greyhound's. When the dog is excited, the ears are raised above the head and, in some cases, may be semi--erect. The ears are soft and glossy, like that of a mouse's coat. Sometimes there is a silky, silvery coat on the body and tip of the ear. The ears should be black or dark-colored on all Deerhounds, regardless of coat color. Very serious faults: Prick ears. Big thick ears hanging flat to the head. Ears heavily coated with long hair. Neck Although the long neck befits the Greyhound character of the Deerhound, it is not to be extremely long as the Deerhounds do not stoop to their work as the Greyhounds do. The mane may detract from the length of the neck. The neck is as strong as is necessary to hold a stag. The nape, where the head is set on, is very prominent. The throat is clean and prominent. Forequarters The shoulders are well-sloped, with the blades well back, with not too much distance between them. FORELEGS - The broad, flat forelegs have good, broad forearms and elbows. The forelegs are as straight as possible. Very serious fault: Weak pasterns. Serious faults: Loaded shoulders. Straight shoulders. Body The chest is deep rather than broad, but is not too narrow or slabsided. Great lung power is indicated by a good chest girth. The well-arched loin droops to the tall. A straight backline is not acceptable as it indicates an animal unsuited for uphill work and is very unsightly. Hindquarters The drooping hindquarters are as broad and powerful as possible. The hips are set wide apart. HIND LEGS - There is great length from the hip to the hock. The stifles are well bent. The hock is broad and flat. Very serious faults: A narrow rear, which indicates a lack of power. Cowhocks. Weak pasterns. Straight stifles. Feet The close, compact feet have well-arranged toes. Very serious fault: Splayed feet. Tail The long, tapering tail reaches to within 1½ inches off the ground and about 1½ inches below the hocks. When the dog is still, the tail is dropped perfectly down or curved. When the dog is in motion or excited, the tail is curved, but is never lifted out of the line of the back. Very serious fault: Curl or ring tail. Coat The ideal hair coat is one that is thick, close lying, ragged, and harsh or crisp to the touch. The hair on the body, neck and quarters is harsh, wiry and approximately 3 to 4 inches in length. The hair on the breast and belly is much softer. The hair on the skull is moderately long and softer than the rest of the coat. There is a good mustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard. There is a slight, but not excessive (as in a Collie), fringe on the insides of the forelegs and hind legs. A woolly coat is objectionable. Some strains have a mixture of silky and hard hairs in the coat, which tends to be produced as a result of the climate in the United States. This is to be preferred over a woolly coat. The tail is well covered with thick, wiry hair on the inside. It is longer on the underside and a slight fringe toward the end is acceptable. Color Dark blue-gray is the most preferred color. Acceptable colors include: the darker and lighter grays and brindles (with the darker of both being preferred), and yellow, sandy-red, and red fawn, especially with black ears and muzzles. The oldest known strains, the McNeil and Chesthill Menzies, were of the latter colors. The Deerhound is a self-colored dog, but a white chest and white toes may occur, especially in the darker-colored dogs, and are acceptable. However, the less white that appears, the better. A white tip on the tail (stern) may also occur. Disqualifications: A white blaze on the head. A white collar. Albinism. Height and Weight Height varies according to the sex of the dog. Males are from 30 to 32 inches in height. Bitches range from 28 inches and upward. They may be taller as long as symmetry is not affected by coarseness, but this is rare. Larger bitches will not be as large as males. Weight ranges are as follows: dogs, from 85 to 110 pounds; bitches, from 75 to 95 pounds. The various points of the breed are listed below in order of merit. No singular point is to be exaggerated or diminished at the expense of the total dog. Breed type. Resembles a rough coated Greyhound type, of a larger size and bone. Easy, active, true movement. As tall as possible as long as quality is not sacrificed in favor of size. A long, level, well-balanced head that is carried high. A long body, with a very deep brisket, well-sprung ribs and great breadth across the hips. Strong, straight forelegs, with elbows that are neither in nor out. Hind legs with long, muscular thighs, well-muscled second thighs, and well bent stifles. Well-arched loins and a well-drawn-up belly. A rough, hard coat with a softer beard and brows. Close, compact feet with well-knuckled toes. Small, dark ears, with a Greyhound-like carriage. Dark, moderately full eyes. A long, well-arched neck with a prominent nape. Clean, sloping shoulders. A very deep chest that is not too narrow. A long, slightly curved tail that is carried low. Strong, level teeth. Strong, curved nails. Disqualifications Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. A white blaze on the head. A white collar. Albinism.