In the beginning of the 19th century, the breed was down to only a few dozen.
The main factors playing a role in the falling popularity, was the development of guns and sportsrifles coupled with the fact that the land was being increasingly turned into farmland where more and more people had sheep and this lead to a rapid decrease and spliting up of the old forrest areas into many smaller areas. Fewer Deerhounds were bred.
The new form of hunting was now with rifles where one followed the deer trails stalked and shot the animals when they fled. So one only needed a tracking dog for aid with finding the scent trails and to find injured animals. Collies and other similar breeds were used which were more obedient and could better follow the scent trails.

However, Deerhounds succeeded in doing a "come back" at the end of the Napolionic wars in 1815 which brought a period of peace. Those officers who came home again saught a more exciting sport and found tracking down the deer much more to their taste. The owners of the many smaller forrest areas made a great living from renting them out to all the "well off" hunters and hunting sport supporters.

But, alas, fate was again against the Deerhounds and their coursing form, as many now fell victim to the illness "distemper" which ended the life of many a good dog.

THE PREY
The Deerhounds natural prey is of course the stag, but unfortunately or luckily - depending on how you look at it, it is not permitted to hunt them any more. The deer are more than 130 cm high at the shoulders and weigh over 125 kilos. They are incredibly fast and strong and a deerhound must also be very fast and strong to overtake and bring it down by leaping up and biting at the neck, thereby bringing it down and often breaking it's neck in the fall. Not only this but the stags have the most impressive defense: the antlers. Although they bear these with an aristocratic arrogance, they are not merely for decoration but extremely dangerous weapons against all rivals and enemies. Many a deerhound has felt these in its body and how effectively they can be used!

COURSING
A more "modern" prey for Deerhounds is the hare. Deerhounds can manage hare coursing very well, despite the fact that following the hare's sharp zigzag maneuvers requires a rather more agile, smaller body which they do not have and so they are not needed to be so large, strong and heavy, as was absolutely necessary for deer hunting.
The committee for coursing in the Deerhound Club of Great Britain holds a few meetings every year. These take place in either Scotland or east Anglia where hare can be found in suitable numbers. These meets are very popular as they are not only the way to test the dogs for their hunting instincts and abilities, but also a good excuse for getting together with other enthusiastic Deerhound owners and breeders!
Deerhounds are both larger and heavier than Greyhounds and lurchers and therefore at a disadvantage when coursing after smaller prey. However they just love to join in the fun!
So it is also no surprise to find that many Deerhounds are now being bred specially for this new (for them!) form of coursing and are therefore getting smaller and lighter than ever before and there's often a big difference between them and the other "show Deerhound" types.
However some kennels are successful at both sports. The most notable being Miss A. Noble's Ardkinglas Kennel with Show Champions for example Ch. Ardkinglas Idol, who also wins well at the coursing meets.
Miss Noble bought her first deerhound bitch, Nora of Entekerine, in 1930 from a Miss Bell after she had seen the breed so often accompanying the foresters around her home. All Ardkinglas Deerhounds come from this one dog. Through the years there has been 27 British Champions and countless Champions abroad.
One of the most successful "small" kennels, in later years has been Miss Cecily Cox's Dufault Kennel, which started in 1961. From here there has come some 10 Champions, of which 7 are from her kennel, which peaked in 1981, where there were 5 Deerhound Champions at one time at Dufault.

Those who are new in the breed and who want to show their dog should remember the natural "tousled" look which was no doubt partly what first attracted them to the breed. Deerhounds do not need the enormous amount of combing and brushing that many other breeds with long coats have do. Just a quick brush through before going in the ring is enough. Also, they should never be dragged around "strung up" on the lead like many other breeds, but shown as naturally as possible. Keep the "natural look" all the way, as that probably was what attracted you in the first place!
Deerhounds are Sighthounds and so have the Sighthound's catlike nature. They can be independent, disobedient and also suddenly stone deaf when it suits them, but having said that, one also should add that they are one of the "easiest" to have and to train of all the Sighthounds.
Since they don't ALWAYS do what you say, but often "think for themselves", if you are the type who wants total obedience at all times and a well trained obedient dog willing to carry out your every order - well then you had best not choose a Deerhound!
Deerhounds have their own ideas and opinions about things and are perfectly willing do just as you want them to, IF they think that its amusing or something they like. It's up to you to make training as interesting and fun as possible
They are very "fine feeling" and sensitive dogs that only need a short firm reprimand as punishment for any "naughtynesses", never physical punishment and it's no good loosing your temper for hours either. Hot tempered people will only get an unnaturally nervous and frightened Deerhound as a result.
Large breeds such as the Deerhound are slow to mature and it is especially important to take care with not only a good diet to ensure optimal bone growth together with good exercise to give a well developed physique, but also to train them mentally and let them have many varied and good experiences and get to know all about the world they are living in, from earliest puppyhood.
Deerhounds do not smell unpleasantly of "dog" and their coat is very easy to keep clean in the daily run.
Deerhounds love their families and are happiest living together with them in close contact. They are good with children of all ages - though of course all children must be taught to show proper respect for any dog breed.
Deerhounds may look big, but is amazing how small they can be when curled up and often manage to squeeze into any dog bed or car seat etc.
Once a Deerhound lover, always a Deerhound lover!
Written by Joan P. Garth, Germany 1994.

My e-mail: janetfm@sighthound.net

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