02 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



The deerhound presents the general aspect of a high-bred 

 greyhound, especially in all the points on which speed and 

 power depend ; but he is built more coarsely, and alto^ 

 on a larger and more robust scale. The shoulder is also 

 more elevated, the neck thicker, the head and muzzle co; 

 and the bone more massive. 



The deerhound stands from twenty-eight to thirty ii 

 in height at the shoulder; his coat is rough, and the hair 

 strong ; color usually iron-gray, sandy-yellow, or white ; //// 

 colors should have muzzle and tips of ears black. 



Attempts have been made to improve the deerhound by 

 crossing him with other breeds, such as the Pyrenenn wolf- 

 dog, the bloodhound of Cuba, and the British bloodhound ; 

 but all these attempts have failed of their object, and pro. 

 duced only deterioration. The cross with the Cuban blood- 

 hound has proved least objectionable. It was of this 1 

 that Sir Walter Scott's dog, Maida, bred and presentrd to 

 him by Glengarry, sprung. I must not omit to mention that 

 a tuft, or pencil of dark hair on the tip of the ear, is like- 

 wise a proof of high blood. In my opinion the Persian L 

 hound, or a very similar greyhound at present used in the 

 hills of Macedonia,* would be found a really valuable cross, 

 un<l would improve, instead of deteriorating this valuable 

 breed, which we may otherwise expect soon to degen* 

 if not wholly disappear, from the baneful effects of blind- 

 ing within too close consanguinity, or, as it is called, in 

 and in. 11 



Her majesty possesses a magnificent specimen of d--r- 

 hound, called "Bran." This noble animal stands over 

 thirty inches in height at the shoulder, and is supposed to be 

 the finest specimen of the breed in existence. I am not sure 

 whether Bran was the gift of Lord Glenlyon, but I know 

 that that nobleman presented her majesty with some fine 

 specimens of this breed. 



The following description of deer-coursing, extracted from 

 Mr. Scrope's admirable volume, will, I am confident, be read 

 with interest: 



" No time was to be lost : the whole party immediately 

 moved forward in silent and breathless expectation, with the 

 dogs in front, straining in the slips, and on our reaching the 

 top of the hillock, we got a full view of the noble stag, 

 who, having heard our footsteps, had sprung to his legs, and 



Described p. 56. 



