The history of Scots and their hounds is long and noble. Many references are made to "Mialchu" in Scottish Gaelic, meaning animal hound. Scottish Deerhound are that breed of dog which originated in Scotland about the 16th century and was once widely used in the hunting of deer. In the United States hunting antlered animals with dogs is prohibited, but the deerhound was used to hunt other animals, including wolves and coyotes. The deerhound is large and usually of a dark blue-gray color. It has a wiry coat; a head broad at the ears and narrowing toward the eyes; brown or hazel eyes; a deep chest; broad flat legs; and a long tapering tail. The male is about 76 to 81 cm (about 30 to 32 in) high at the shoulder and weighs 39 to 50 kg (85 to 110 lb). The female is about 71 to 81 cm (about 28 to 32 in) high and weighs 34 to 43 kg (75 to 95 lb). The dog is graceful and dignified and resembles an oversized greyhound. For a good read on the topic, visit History of Scottish Deerhound.
The greyhound is the first breed of dog mentioned in English literature. The monk in Geoffrey Chaucer's 14th century The Canterbury Tales reportedly spent great sums on his greyhounds:
Greyhounds he hadde as swifte as fowel in flight;
Of prikyng and of huntyng for the hare
Was al his lust, for no cost wolde he spare.
In Shakespeare, too, characters frequently mention the greyhound. It was not uncommon for the nobility to own several braces of greyhounds (and/or deerhounds) for hunting. Their fawning and obedient nature makes them greyt material for a pun or a put-down. Read about it here: Greyhounds in Shakespeare
Finally, my goddess, Diana The Huntress, is often pictured with greyhounds at her side:
This is John-John, my first adopted greyhound. He was a retired racer when he came to live with us. Moving into a home with a cat, several guinea pigs, and a tank full of fish was an adventure for him, but he took to his new surroundings with gusto. It was a short time before he had worn a track around my Ring of Oaks in the back yard, where he would sprint every morning and every evening just for sheer joy! His gentle nature and pleasing gait were something to behold. The children in our neighborhood watched for us to pass each day as we walked into the fields; they were fascinated with his size and speed and were delighted as he allowed them to fuss over him.
This is Baby, who replaced John-John shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer. Also a retired racer, Baby was much more shy than John and wouldn't walk as far or as fearlessly as he. But she was a loving and friendly creature who gave us much joy for the short time she survived after her retirement. A pronounced limp and a shoulder badly swollen with a tumor foreshadowed her passing.
Retired racing greyhounds make wonderful pets. There are organizations around the country that can help you adopt just the right dog, even cat-testing and familiarizing the dog with household living before they arrive at your door. My favorite is GPA (Greyhound Pets of America), with many chapters in various locales.
In Central Florida, where I live, you may contact the GPA of Greater Orlando. This wonderful group places hundreds of dogs every year. Better yet, why not visit their web page right now?
Shep joined us in October of 2000, a two-year-old who preferred running with a ball in his mouth and playing catch with his mates to chasing a lure around a track. His neck is short, so is his nose, so his owners dumped him into the adoption bin. We fell in love, and he is now the youngest member of our household. Click the link below to see his photo album: (Just close the album window to return here.) Shep has also gone to the rainbow bridge.
| This Greyhound Lover's Net Ring |
