i66 Hounds 



are of no importance, and very little more so when 

 upon the breast. Nevertheless, white hair is cer- 

 tainly an indication that other than Deerhound 

 blood has been introduced, it may be generations 

 since. A light brindle with dark brindle shadings, 

 likewise a bluish-grey, are colours highly esteemed, 

 though colour is secondary to a good all-round con- 

 formation. 



As in most other hound-breeding, there is a 

 tendency to breed hounds either too big or too small, 

 the medium-sized hound being the most useful when 

 it comes to an analysis of the working dog. If a 

 Deerhound is too cumbersome it is lacking in speed 

 and agility. The coat should be rather wiry in 

 texture and about three inches in length along the 

 upper border of the neck, withers and back, but it 

 is softer and shorter on the under part of the body; 

 density of coat is as important as crispness of it; 

 any tendency towards woolliness is objectionable. 



The weight for dogs ranges from 80 to no lbs., 

 and for bitches from 60 to 90 lbs. ; whilst the average 

 height for dogs ought to be 29 or 30 in., bitches 

 being a trifle less. It seems almost needless to state 

 that a Deerhound must have plenty of chest capacity, 

 so that a deep chest but not a wide breast is the 

 correct conformation. The more room for the free 

 play of heart and lungs the greater the endurance. 

 The back and the loins must be strong, the latter 



