Are Deerhounds The Right Breed For You?

Deerhounds are beautiful dogs. With its tall and picturesque features, no wonder they are always a popular choice when deciding what breed of dog one should have. Its loving charm and beauty had existed long ago, even before today. In fact, in the age of chivalry, people below certain ranks weren’t allowed to own a deerhound. Yes, it was valued not only for its beauty but also for skill and intelligence. Deerhounds are very great hunting partners and active dogs. Their speed, agility, and stamina always set them apart from other breeds of dogs.

But like any other dog breed, the deerhound has distinctive features that may make it just what you want. Let’s dive into the deerhound’s physical characteristics.

Head

They are known for their long and flat heads.  The head should be broad at the ears and then get a little bit narrower and smaller to the ears. The head is covered with relatively long and tender feeling hair. It has strong jaws and large teeth that catch and kill prey. Deerhounds have a pointed muzzle. Generally, deerhounds have black noses, but the nose is blue on blue-fawn deerhounds. They have a relatively good amount of mustache and a fair beard.

Ears

The ears of deerhounds are generally dark in color regardless of the color of the deerhound. The ears should be set high, and when the dog is relaxed, they should be folded down. The ears should look like a greyhound’s ears. If a dog’s ears stand up, that means the dog is excited. The ears should be soft and smooth to the touch.  The smaller the ears are, the better. The ears should not have any long hair or long tufts of fur. A soft, silky coat should be on the tip of the ears.

Eyes

The eyes should be dark. They are usually brown or hazel. The eye should be moderately big and soft looking when the dog is calm, but it should look far away when it is exciting. The rims of the eyes should be black.

Neck and Shoulders

Deerhounds have extended necks. The length of the neck should be the right size for the dog. The throat should be clean, not too big or too small. The shoulders should be sloped, with the blades well back.

 Body & Stern

The chest should be deep and extensive, giving ample room for the lungs and heart, neither too broad nor too narrow. The ribs should be well rounded, neither flattened nor sprung. The brisket reached to the elbow, the fore-ribs projecting well forward. 

The stern(tail) of deerhounds are very long. The stern should be long and thin and end right below the hocks. When the dog is standing still, it should hang straight down. When the dog is excited or moving, the tail should be curved. The tail should be covered with hair, and the inside should be wiry.

Legs & Feet

The feet of deerhounds are close together with well-arranged toes. The front legs are straight, with the back legs solid and bendy. The hips should be wide apart. The back legs should be long from the hips to the back of the knees.

Coat

The Deerhound is typically rough and hairy. It should be around 3 or 4 inches long. The coat on the head, belly, and chest should be softer than the coat on the rest of the body.

Color

Deerhound’s colors range from dark blue-grey, darker and lighter grey, and yellow and sandy-red or red-fawn, with the most preferred being the dark blue grey.

Height & Weight

Males are about 30 to 32 inches, while females average from 28 to 3o inches. Deerhounds weigh about 70 to 130 pounds.

So, are you ready to take home your deerhound puppy? If so, I hope this article helped you to accurately identify a decorative deerhound when you see one and gives you all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether or not the decorative deerhound is the right breed for you.