222 Tim BOOK OF TI/E DOG. 



common Greyhound in size and strength, it is said to be below its ancient standard. 

 With the extirpation of the wolf, the necessity of keeping up the breed to the highest 

 perfection ceased. The hair is wiry, the chest remarkable for volume, and the limbs long 

 and muscular." 



Youatt furnishes us with this description of the Decrhound : "The Highland Grey- 

 hound, or Deerhound, is the larger, stronger, and fiercer dog, and may readily be 

 distinguished from the Lowland Scotch Greyhound by its pendulous and generally darker 

 ears, and by the length of hair which almost covers his face. Many accounts have been 

 given of the perfection of its scent, and it is said to have followed a wounded deer during 

 two successive days. He is usually two inches taller than the Scotch Greyhound. The 

 head is carried particularly high, and gives to the animal a noble appearance. The 

 limbs are exceedingly muscular ; his back beautifully arched. The tail is long and curved, 

 but assumes the form of almost a straight line when he is much excited. The only fault 

 these dogs have is their occasional ill-temper or ferocity ; but this does not extend to the 

 owner and his family." 



Richardson, writing about 1848, gives the following regarding the Deerhound: "The 

 Highland Deerhound presents the general aspect of a Highland Greyhound, especially in all 

 the points on which speed and power depend ; but he is built more coarsely and altogether 

 on a larger and more robust scale. The shoulder is also more elevated, the neck thicker, 

 head and muzzle coarser, and the bone more massive. The Deerhound stands from twenty-eight 

 to thirty inches in height at the shoulders ; his coat is rough and the hair strong ; colour usually 

 iron-grey, sandy, yellow, or white ; all colours should have the muzzle and tips of the ears black ; 

 a tuft or pencil of dark hair on the tip of the ear is a proof of high blood. This is a very 

 powerful dog, equally staunch and faithful ; and when the Scottish mountains swarmed with 

 stags and roes, it was held in high estimation, as being capable of following the deer over 

 surfaces too rough and fatiguing for the ordinary hounds of the low country. The general 

 aspect of the Highland hound is commanding and fierce. His head is long, and muzzle 

 rather sharp ; his ears pendulous, but not long ; his eyes large, keen, and penetrating, half 

 concealed among the long, stiff, and bristly hair with which his face is covered ; his body is 

 very strong and muscular, deep-chested, tapering towards the loins, and his back slightly 

 arched. His hind quarters are furnished with large prominent muscles, and his legs are long, 

 strong-boned, and straight a combination of qualities which gives him that speed and long 

 endurance for which he is so eminently distinguished. This is the dog formerly used by the 

 Highland chieftains of Scotland in their grand hunting parties, and is in all probability the 

 same noble dog used in the time of Ossian." 



The last author treating of the Deerhound that will be alluded to is " Idstone," who 

 brought out his useful book on "The Dog," in the year 1872; but as a considerable portion 

 of the information in the article on the Deerhound therein contained was furnished by the present 

 writer, he will embody it in this treatise as he proceeds. At the same time a few extracts 

 which he cannot lay claim to will not be out of place. 



" Until within the last few years the breed was very scarce, for they were kept by the few 



