The re-creation of the lost medieval hunting dog The English Deerhound
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Just saying.......
The recognition of a breed of dog by the world's kennel clubs has long been a hit and miss affair. Here we failed to recognise important native breeds like the Welsh Hillman, the Old Welsh Grey and Black and Tan Sheepdogs in Wales, the Glenwherry Collie and the Galway Sheepdog in Ireland, the Cowley...
Note: copied from Cynthia Crysdale
A SCOTTISH DEERHOUND SHOULD RESEMBLE A ROUGH COATED GREYHOUND OF LARGER BONE AND SIZE.
I want to start off by saying a huge THANK YOU to all everyone and their positive feedback! To date, the post has been reshared 44 times which is a bit mind blowing.
One of the reposts was put on a private DH (USA) forum, of which I am member. The vicious comments that ensued were based on not actually reading the post, but rather, cherry picking parts of my post, and deteriorating into condescending bullying; the shaming of myself and the mocking of Dick has left me stunned, to be honest.
Not one of these people saw fit to write this on my page (or on the only other forum – Scottish Deerhound Learning Centre – where I posted). So, on my page, I would like to address a few of the many ‘criticisms’.
1. Dick stating that the Deerhound was ‘boring’.
This was clearly too nuanced for some.
It goes without saying that ALL Sighthounds are magnificent. Majestic. To me, it is the essential nature of a Sighthound. Standing over ground, looking into ages past. Regal, elegant, aloof, possessing the ground under their feet. As a highly successful breeder of Borzoi, Dick certainly understood Sighthound ‘presence’.
Sighthounds are athletes. They are sprinters who utilize fast twitch muscles to go from ‘repose’ to the ‘hunt’ in a matter of seconds. That in and of itself is awe inspiring and breathtaking. As they mature, this ‘stature’ only becomes more exquisite.
And, this should translate in a correct Deerhound (size, structure and bone) into easy, active and true movement in the ring. The show fancy pushes over exaggeration (size, coat, outline). This in and of itself is precipitating loss of type.
The Scottish Deerhound is a MODERATE dog. Moderate size, moderate coat.
Looking at the Poodle, it is an incredible hunting dog who has been relegated to the Non-Sporting Group. The coat that protects a Poodle chest from cold water has, in the show world, become an entirely different entity.
In the Best in Show ring, a moderate, correct, Scottish Deerhound is not as flashy as a Poodle with its blown-out coat and Pom Poms. Nor should it be.
And, as such, next to the Poodle, the correct Deerhound could be perceived as ‘boring’. This is all Dick meant.
It was in no way a criticism of the breed. More a matter of fact statement of the challenges facing the correct Deerhound in the BIS ring.
2. Fronts
The comment in my post in no way reflected the breadth of education I have received on Deerhound fronts. It was simply an anecdotal simplification of regular conversation between us, reflecting the greater importance of the rear in a dog that needs a strong back end to pursue Deer on uneven terrain. The Deerhound is driven from the rear. That was the important issue.
The front obviously has a purpose.
Barbara Heidenreich of Fernhill Deerhounds, has summed it up rather eloquently. “Dogs can change direction in mid-stride, deer cannot. That is why if a Deerhound can overtake a red deer, it can turn it to the dog’s advantage. Furthermore, other than a direction maker, the front suspension is for reach, recoil/rebound. Conservation of energy.”
3. Dual Champions
Contrary to what was ranted about, Dick (and I in the post) NEVER suggested that every Deerhound was required to be a dual champion. What Dick said was that it was his belief that the TOP TEN DOGS (ALL BREED) should possess a dual championship.
4. Mentoring
The assumption was made that I have only ever had one mentor, Dr Richard Meen MD.
And I was summarily judged and discounted for this. The object of my post was to express my incredible gratitude for a man unparalleled in the dog world (and it was his birthday, and I wanted to honour him).
Have I had other mentors? Of course I have! As a student of life, I’ve had many mentors (dog, breed, life), and dog/breed mentors come in so many forms for different lengths of time and for different reasons.
However, let’s talk about Dick.
Dick was perhaps known worldwide for his Borzoi, Skye Terriers and French Bull Dogs. Dick and his life partner, John Reeves-Newson, founded Kishniga Kennels in 1971. In the time that they graced the dog world they bred Group and BIS winning Dobermans, OES, Skye Terriers, French Bulldogs, Borzoi, and Harriers. They also owned and exhibited Group and BIS winning Lakeland Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Standard Poodles, Scottish Deerhounds, American Foxhounds and Whippets.
Moustache (CDN AM CH Kishniga’s Desert Song) was Canada’s Top Dog All Breeds in 1977, and in 1978 he was Number Two Hound in the US. He still holds the record as most winningest Borzoi, based on Breed points. The brothers (CDN AM CH Desert Song and CDN AM MX CH Kishniga’s Dalgarth) are still among the top fifty winning hounds in the history of the AKC – in a time when entries were significant. In 2011, Dillon (Multi BIS CDN AM CH Kishniga’s HMS Gunsmoke) was top terrier in Canada, #3 All Breeds and remains the most successful Skye Terrier in the history of the breed in Canada.
Dick was only the third Canadian to Judge BIS at the Westminster Kennel Club. He was President and Chair of the CKC, involved in numerous dog clubs, and he established both Borzoi Canada and Skye Canada. He was a highly regarded Judge who was invited to shows worldwide. His contribution to the dog world has been significant.
Aside from dog shows, Dick was a respected Psychiatrist, and among his many positions, he developed a program for the child and adolescent students at the National Ballet School of Canada, aimed at maximizing the psychological health of minors in a highly stressful and competitive environment. He absolutely loved the kids he met and assessed. He played a key clinical role in the operation of the Specialized Resource Homes for children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and complex behaviours.
There is just so much more I could write about him.
Most importantly Dick lived life. Every single day. He read voraciously, collected artwork (and shoes), gardened and loved nothing more than a spirited discussion. He was intelligent and intellectually alive. He had a fabulous sense of humour and the best laugh. His compassion and grace were tremendous.
Dick LOVED dogs. He firmly believed two things: Dogs HUMANIZE us, and dogs are living history (the unique connection to the past for each particular breed). He was utterly supportive and encouraging of anyone wanting to get into the sport.
If I had no other choice but to have only one mentor in my life Dick would have more than fit the bill.
He was also an incredibly cherished friend whom I miss so much even today.
Dick accomplished more in his life than these keyboard bullies will achieve in their five lifetimes combined.
The comments aimed at him were distasteful. All I can say is SHAME.ON.YOU.
5. Size
There is an AKC/CKC approved written standard which states size guidelines. And, if breeders are required to breed to function (as required by the AKC), then again, SIZE MATTERS.
In espousing their position in opposition to my statements, for the Judges Education Chair of the SDCA to state that “Of course the Deerhound resembles the Irish Wolfhound in numerous ways” is unbelievable. Dangerous.
I am still waiting for their response to providing me with that particular reference in the AKC approved written standard.
If one looks at the current top five Deerhounds in the US, one will see at least four different types/breeds. How has our Judges Education gone so astray? How can the Scottish Deerhound, ‘a rough coated Greyhound of larger bone and size’ have so many different mutations? It is common now to look in the DH ring and see four or five different breeds.
Or, to look at a Deerhound and wonder if it is a Deerhound or a Wolfhound. Puppies are HUGE (bone, size and profuse coat at 6 months and less in certain cases).
This breed has become so overdone. The Scottish Deerhound SHOULD look distinctively different than the Irish Wolfhound. Its resemblance is that of a Greyhound (and not the huge Greyhounds in the ring). How is this become acceptable?
I do not see this happening in other breeds (even if too large or extreme, a Poodle still exudes Poodle type and resembles a Poodle, a Skye a Skye, a GSP a GSP and so on – if I am wrong please let me know).
Bottom line, the Scottish Deerhound should never resemble a Wolfhound. There are Deerhound people who sit ringside criticizing Deerhounds for looking too “Greyhoundy’. WHAT ???
A SCOTTISH DEERHOUND SHOULD RESEMBLE A ROUGH COATED GREYHOUND OF LARGER BONE AND SIZE.
Deerhounds are rapidly losing type. It remains my opinion(AND A HISTORICAL FACT) that a 145 lb Deerhound is not functional, and in no way resembles the ideal of the written standard. There is nothing ‘Greyhoundy’ about a Deerhound so overdone.
Furthermore, as this regal, ancient breed is bred bigger and bigger, life span is shorter and shorter, health issues are more predominant. Luxmoore (CDN GCH MBIS MBISS BPIS Harambee’s Luxmoore of Wick) who topped out at 90lbs, far outlived any of the much larger Deerhounds she showed against during her time on the show circuit, both dogs and bi***es.
I was mentored to work hard to breed a Deerhound that best represents the written standard. That best reflects the historical significance and function of what this breed was created to do. A responsible preservationist breeder is about the stewarding of a particular breed and this has NOTHING to do with winning in the ring.
Winning in the ring is NOT confirmation of one’s breeding program.
For good or bad, winning in today’s show world seems to have devolved into a competition for points, records and campaigns, not for preserving type, form and function.
I was taught by Dick not to ‘read my own press releases’.
I was taught to do my homework, put my head down and breed dogs that exemplify the written standard. Who resemble a rough coated Greyhound (of origin) of larger bone and size.
Which is what I will continue to do.
Pals catching up at Osgathorpe
Looking forward to viewing Recreation of the English Deerhound
The Recreation of the English Deerhound showing at Birmingham NEC 27th November 10am. Limited tickets at £5
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The Recreation of the English Deerhound showing at Birmingham NEC 27th November 10am. Limited tickets at £5
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