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The origin of the Deerhound breed is of such antiquity and
the earliest names bestowed on it so inextricably mixed that no sound conclusion can be
arrived at as to whether the Deerhound was at one time identical with the ancient Irish
Wolfdog and, in the course of centuries, bred to a type better suited to hunt deer, or
whether, as some writers claim, he is the descendant of the hounds of the Picts. Very
early descriptive names were used to identify the purpose of the dog rather than to
identify species. We find such names as "Irish Wolf Dog," "Scotch
Greyhound," "Rough Greyhound," "Highland Deerhound." Dr. Caius,
in his book Of Englishe Dogges (1576) speaking of Greyhounds, relates: "Some are of
the greater sorte, some of a lesser; some are smoothe skynned and some curled, the bigger
therefore are appointed to hunt the bigger beastes, the buck, the hart, the doe."
All this is relatively unimportant when we can definitely identify the breed
as Deerhounds as early as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. From there on the term
Deerhound has been applied to the breed, which of all dogs has been found best suited for
the pursuit and killing of the deer.
At all times great value has been set on the Deerhound. The
history of the breed teems with romance increasing in splendor right down through the Age
of Chivalry when no one of rank lower than an earl might possess these dogs. A leash of
Deerhounds was held the fine whereby a noble lord condemned to death might purchase his
reprieve. Records of the Middle Ages allude repeatedly to the delightful attributes of
this charming hound, his tremendous courage in the chase, his gentle dignity in the home.
So highly has the Deerhound been esteemed that the desire for
exclusive ownership has at many times endangered the continuance of the breed. As the
larger beasts of the chase became extinct, or rare, in England and southern Scotland, the
more delicate, smooth Greyhound took the place of the larger Deerhound. The Highlands of
Scotland, last territory wherein the stag remained numerous in a wild state, became, as
might be expected, the last stronghold of this breed. Here again the Highland Chieftains
assumed exclusive proprietorship to such an extent that it was rare to find a good
specimen south of the River Forth. So severely was this policy pursued that in 1769 the
breed physically and numerically ran very low. This, of course, must be attributed in a
great measure to the collapse of the clan system after Culloden 1745. It was not until
about 1825, when the restoration of the breed was undertaken very successfully by
Archibald and Duncan McNeill (the latter afterwards Lord Colonsay), that the Deerhound
regained his place of pre-eminence and former perfection. The Great War, in later times,
had considerable effect on the breed when so many of the large estates in Scotland and
England were broken up. Although this "Royal Dog of Scotland" is represented at
English shows in good numbers and to a considerable extent at shows in the Eastern States
of the , the Deerhound remains a rare dog of such historical interest and character that
ownership should give anyone great pride of possession.
The high valuation of the Deerhound is not the result of
rarity so much as the fact that as a hunter he is pre-eminent, with a high aggregate of
desirable characteristics. He has a keen scent, which may be used in tracking, but it is
that combination of strength and speed necessary to cope with the large Scottish deer
(often weighing 250 pounds) that is most valued. The hounds are usually hunted singly or
in pairs. Centuries of hunting as the companions and guards of Highland Chieftains have
given the Deerhound an insatiable desire for human companionship. For this reason the best
Deerhounds are seldom raised as kennel dogs. In character the Deerhound is quiet and
dignified, keen and alert, and although not aggressive, has great persistence and
indomitable courage when necessary. While it might savor of boasting to claim that the
Deerhound of today is identical with the dog of early history, descriptions of which are
mostly legendary, it is nevertheless a well-established fact that in type, size, and
character he closely conforms to authentic records of the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries.
The hunting of antlered game with dogs is not permitted in
the United States, but the Deerhound has been used very successfully on wolves, coyotes,
and rabbits, and is keen to match his speed with anything that runs. As a companion the
Deerhound is ideal, being tractable and easy to train and possessing the most dependable
loyalty and utmost devotion to his master. The most authentic and complete work on the
breed is Scotch Deerhounds and their Masters written by George Cupples. Much has also been
written about the Deerhound by Scrope in Days of Deerstalking and other works. The best
descriptions of the breed are found in nineteenth-century British dog books.
The grace, dignity and beauty of the Deerhound have been
faithfully depicted in many of Landseer's paintings and drawings, and Sir Walter Scott,
who owned the famous Deerhound Maida, makes many enthusiastic allusions to the breed,
which he describes as "The most perfect creature of Heaven." |
