270 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



Height at shoulder, ... 28 inches. 



Girth of chest, . . . . 32 ,, 



Weight in running condition, . . 85 Ibs. 



This dog is of a pale yellow, and appears to be remark- 

 ably pure in his breeding, not only from his shape and 

 colour, but from the strength and wiry elasticity of his 

 hair, which by Highlanders is thought to be a criterion of 

 breeding. 



Though the dogs now described are of a yellow or reddish 

 colour, yet there are in the districts of Badenoch and 

 Lochaber, some of a dark grey, which are considered pure ; 

 indeed it is believed that this was at one time the prevailing 

 colour in the Highlands of Scotland. Besides the difference 

 of colour, there seems to be a decided difference in the 

 texture of the hair between the yellow and grey dog ; that 

 of the grey dog being much softer and more woolly. The 

 latter also seem to be less lively, and do not exhibit such a 

 development of muscle, particularly on the back and loins, 

 and have a tendency to eat hams. 



There is a striking peculiarity in the deerhound, viz., the 

 difference in size betwixt the male and female, which is 

 more remarkable than in any of the other varieties of the 

 canine race. 



The following are the dimensions of a full-grown stag 

 taken from actual measurement : 



Ft. In. 



Height at shoulder, . . . 3 11^ 



Girth at shoulder, 4 7f 



Height from top of head to the fore-foot, . 5 6 



Length of antler, . . . . 26 



Extreme height from the top of the antlers to 



the ground, . . . . 7 10 

 Weight as he fell, 308 Ibs. 



When we consider the above measurements, it is not a 

 matter of surprise that few dogs, if any, should be found, 

 who are capable, single handed, of pulling down an animal 

 of such size, strength, and activity. 



Deer-coursing, the noblest of all the Highland sports, has 

 long been a favourite amusement with the inhabitants of 

 the north and west of Scotland ; and though fallen into 

 disuse of late years, it is still practised in some parts of the 



