1892, are Sir Gavin, Fingall II., Earl II., Ensign, Shepherd, Swift, Enterprise, Royal Lufra (a beautiful headed bitch, for which excellence she won a special prize at Bath not long ago), Rossie Blue Bell, and there are many others, almost, if not equally good to look at on the show bench.

The deerhound, in colour, should be either brindled in various shades, blue, or fawn; white is detrimental, though a little on the chest or feet does not matter very much. much. Pure white dogs are occasionally found, but it is not a deerhound colour, any more than it is that of a collie, though Mr. Morton Campbell, jun., of Stracathro, near Brechin, has a white hound of considerable beauty, and though obtained from the Highlands, its pedigree is unknown. I prefer the darker shades of colour; the darker brindles are very attractive, and in actual work, it is a colour that tones well with the surrounding rocks and dark heather. The largest and heaviest dogs are not to be recommended, either for work or otherwise, they cut themselves on the rocks, and are not nearly so active and lithe on the rough ground as the lighter and smaller specimens. The dog should not, at any rate, be more than about thirty inches at the shoulder, the bitch from one to two inches less. One or two specimens have been shown, and won prizes too, that measured up to thirty-two inches,

and even an inch more, and it is said that Bran, figured in "Dogs of the British Isles," was thirtythree inches! Such are too big for work, and nowadays have not much chance of winning on the show bench. The following heights and weights of some of the best deerhounds of the modern standard may be interesting, and all are excellent specimens in every way, and perhaps equal to anything that has yet been seen. Mr. Walter Evan's Fingal II., stands 29 inches at shoulder, and weighs 87lb.; his Earl II., 283 inches and 81lb.; Duke of Brewood, 30 inches, weighs 881b.; and his bitch, Enterprise, stands 29 inches, and weighs 85lb., a big weight for a bitch. Mr. W. H. Singer's wellknown dog, Swift, is 79lb. weight, and 30 inches at the shoulder; and his bitch, She, weighs 72lb., and stands 26 inches.

In general form the deerhound should be like a greyhound: ears similar, loins likewise, legs and feet equally good. In his character he differs from the smooth hound considerably, as he does in coat, which is hard, crisp, and close, not too long, and silkiness on the top knot, and elsewhere, is not desirable. In running he carries his head higher than a greyhound, nor does he lay himself down so closely to his work; in galloping, he appears to be on the look out for contingencies, and does not, as a rule, go at

his greatest pace, unless actually required to do so. He hangs back, as it were-maybe to avoid a stroke from the stag, or to look out for the proper place to seize; some will seize one part, some another. "Bran's point of attack was always at the shoulder or fore leg, whilst Oscar had a habit of biting at the hind leg, above the hock, frequently cutting through the flesh and tendons in an extraordinary manner, and tumbling over the deer very quickly," says St. John in his "Highland Sports."

Their endurance is great, their scent keen, and Ronaldson Macdonnel, of Glengarry, instances one dog, that, held in a leash, followed the track of a wounded stag, in unfavourable rainy weather, for three successive days, when the game was shot. The story goes, that this stag was wounded within three miles of Invergarry House, and was traced that night to the Glenmoriston. At dusk, in the evening, the stalkers placed a stone on each side of the last fresh print of his hoof, and another over it; and this they did each night following. On the succeeding morning they removed the upper stone, when the dog recovered the scent, and the deer was that day hunted over a great part of the Glenmoriston ground. On the third day, it was retraced on to Glengarry, and there shot.

When hunting, the deerhound runs mute, as he

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does when coursing, but when the stag is brought to bay, the hound opens, and by his "baying," or barking, attracts his master to the spot, where, in some pool, with a steep rock at his back, the noble monarch of the glen in vain bids defiance to his foes.

In puppyhood, the deerhound is delicate, and difficult to rear, that scourge known as distemper carrying off large numbers. This is, no doubt, owing to continued inbreeding, but with our increasing knowledge of canine ailments, the mortality is decreasing.

During 1892, a club for looking after the welfare of the deerhound was formed, but at the time I write, their description of the dog has not been published. They, however, have decided not to give any numerical list of points. Failing the club's standard, I have carefully compiled the following description:

The deerhound is an elegantly shaped, graceful dog, a good specimen being almost perfect in symmetry. He should be particularly neat and cleanly cut about the neck and shoulders, perfectly straight in front, stifles well turned behind, and generally giving the appearance of speed and power, with freedom in his movements. His face and eyes are pleasing in their expression, bright in their intelli

gence-a perfect deerhound is perhaps about the most sensible looking of all our dogs, not even excepting the collie.

In head and face the deerhound is not unlike a rather rough-headed greyhound, perhaps wider in skull and stronger in jaw and nose, and the shaggy brow and more hairy face give him a hardier and less polished appearance. The head should have the greatest width at the ears, and taper gradually to the nose, without any dip between the eyes. The jaws should be level and very powerful.

The eyes ought to be bright, dark, or hazel, sparkling, not too big, but just big enough; beaming with intelligence and good nature, and from which he obtains, in a great degree, his charming expression. Light coloured eyes are condemned.

Ears small, soft, glossy, free from long hair, and should be darker coloured than the rest of the body. A little silky hair on the ears is often seen in good specimens. When excited the ear is raised high, without quite losing the fold, not quite a semi-prick ear.

Neck long, strong and muscular, gracefully poised, quite as long as that of the greyhound; but the mane," which a good coated dog ought to have, makes the neck look short.

The chest and shoulders are important, and the former must be deep, but not wide in front; ribs