About forty-five years since there were not many of these Hounds in England, and even in their native land at, or about, this period, they were by no means common.
Although powerful and swift dogs, they are only used to a very limited extent, and breeders of these Hounds keep them more for companionship, and exhibition purposes.
They make excellent watch-dogs, and are exceedingly hardy.
The following description is that issued by the Deerhound Club:—
Head.—The head should be broadest at the ears, tapering slightly to the eyes, with the muzzle tapering more decidedly to the nose.
The muzzle to be pointed, but the teeth and lips level.
The head ought to be long, the skull flat, rather than round, with a very slight rise over the eyes, but with nothing approaching a "stop."
The skull should be coated with moderately long hair, which is softer than the rest of the coat.
The nose to be black (although in some blue fawns the colour is blue) and slightly aquiline.