n6 BRITISH DOGS 



well acquainted with both varieties, for he says : " The hair, whether 

 the dog be of the rough or smooth sort," etc. This is quoted in 

 support of the views of a common origin for all the members of 

 this group. "Idstone" is "inclined to think it is an imported 

 breed " ; out he gives no reason for thinking so, and declares it 

 " is one of the oldest breeds we have." 



Sir Walter Scott did much to draw attention to the breed, and the 

 description of the Deerhound he puts in the mouth of the Knight 

 of Gilsland has never been equalled, and no article on the breed 

 is complete without it : "A most perfect creature of heaven ; of the 

 old Northern breed deep in the chest, strong in the stern, black 

 colour, and brindled on the breast and legs, not spotted with white, 

 but just shaded into grey strength to pull down a bull, swiftness 

 to cote an antelope." 



Of present-day writers none are better qualified to speak than 

 Mr. G. W. Hickman, who has devoted so many years to the practical 

 study of the race as a breeder and judge, and whose literary tastes 

 have naturally led him to make, in addition, a study of its history. 



Mr. Hickman's contribution to the last Edition of this work was 

 one of the most interesting and instructive of the many to be found. 

 It combined the historical and the practical in a manner not always, 

 or indeed often, associated. The time that has elapsed since it was 

 published has brought about some slight modifications and changes 

 for the better in the breed as a whole ; but Mr. Hickman's advice 

 and words of warning are as sound and necessary now as they were 

 then. We therefore unhesitatingly reproduce as much of the 

 original article as our more restricted space will allow. 



" The thing to be feared in connection with the Scottish Deer- 

 hound is that the breed, as its use gradually dies out in the High- 

 lands, may lose all its character and quality, and thus be theorised 

 into extinction. 



Of late years many men have bred solely for size, and trusted 

 to Providence for quality. The outcome of this has been that we 

 have had on the show-bench animals wanting in all the grace, 

 elegance, and symmetry which should characterise the Deerhound ; 

 with big, heavy heads, bulging out at the eyes ; with blunt muzzles, 

 nearly as thick at the nose as just in front of the eyes ; with big, 

 heavy, drooping ears, often heavily coated and fringed in addition ; 

 and with a large but overgrown and weak-looking frame and coarse 

 but doubtful-looking limbs. 



I do not say that most of our show dogs have been of this 

 kind, but we have had several notable instances, whose success 

 has been perplexing arid disheartening to those who have kept the 

 Deerhound for his proper work, and whose occasional patronage 

 of shows has thus been alienated. This is the more to be regretted, 



