The Deerhound. 225 



slight mixture of silky coat with the hard, which Is 

 preferable to a woolly coat, but the proper coat Is a 

 thick, close-lying, ragged coat, harsh or crisp to the 

 touch. 



Colour. — Colour Is much a matter of fancy, but 

 there is no manner of doubt that the dark blue-grey 

 is the most preferred. Next comes the darker and 

 lighter greys or brindles, the darkest being generally 

 preferred. Yellow and sandy, red or red fawn, 

 especially with black points, i.e., ears and muzzles, 

 are also In equal estimation, this being the colour of 

 the oldest known strains, the McNeil and the Chest- 

 hill Menzles. White Is condemned by all the old 

 authorities, but a white chest and white toes, occur- 

 ring as they do in a great many of the darkest 

 coloured dogs, are not so greatly objected to, but 

 the less the better, as the deerhound is a self- 

 coloured dog. A white blaze on the head, or a 

 white collar, should entirely disqualify. In other 

 cases, though passable, yet an attempt should be 

 made to get rid of white markings. The less white 

 the better, but a slight white tip to the stern occurs 

 In the best strains. 



Height of dogs. — From 28In. to 3oIn., or even 

 more If there be symmetry without coarseness, but 

 which Is rare. 



Height of hitches. — From 26In. upwards. There 



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