Campbell

I knew the Irish would have better dogs. ATB and may 2021 be a far better year than 2020.

I sent a message to an Irish Breeder of Scottish Deerhounds the year before last, it may well have been this guy. A top breeder. The thing that prompted me was that the Deerhounds were described as being redder in colour than you would see in the UK. The kennel club possibly has preferences for the colour of Deerhounds that everyone recognizes. Maybe narrowing the gene pool available, to the detriment o' the Deerhound type? Some Deerhounds in Ireland seem to have a different colour gene. Red. Such dogs would likely improve the Gene pool in the UK if bred with dogs here. Especially

With the Global Warming ..."Scottish Highland hills covered in snow" are already on the Endangered list aswell guys. The Deerhounds had Bloodhound added in by the Victorians. They came in a wider array of colours before then. They were even scarce in Scotland during the Colonsay period. Apparantly Ireland is the home of the Deerhound now from what's on this forum. It's likely from the Emerald Isle they'll be returned to being the excellent hound they once were, and should be once more. Merry X'mas everyone.

No, that;s me off Australian Cattle Dogs now. I'll stick with my GSD.

These are fine hounds and riding the horse with the dogs alongside reminds me of a youtube video today of a guy driving a jeep with the Deerhound running just at the side of the road. The added view the rider has of the terrain. I think this is how you would get the best out of hunting with Deerhounds rather than what they can show you chasing a hare with a lot of law.

I can see the sense of this statement in 1 way but, 38 rabbits the man can catch. If I were after a dog foremost for hunting ability and not just standing up to the rain, sleet, weather and more rain and then the constant terrain challenges first before finally getting to the likely hunting spot there'd be no way I'd use a pure Deerhound for anything other than an actual Stag. Not even a roe deer maybe. There's not too much good flattish park land in Scotland. Definitely less in the west. On accessible good land that's not too bumpy I cannot think of 1 good reason I'd have Deerhou

38 rabbits caught by someone is a thing I'll likely not see. Aye, that ability to get back on terms with quarry quick is the big bonus of a shepherd type in the mix as you point out. I'll possibly go that route. Deerhounds are great dogs but the showring may turn them into a big toy if the coursing, racing side of them isn't selected for. The showring criteria changed Alsatians as we all know.

Sounds a good dog. I'd heard and I can't remember where I got it from, that Deerhounds would strike up, for the likes of Deer but not so much down for the smaller prey, rabbits. It's just maths really that a tall dog is longer running when reaching legs forward and rear legs back. They must be 6" at a stretch running. Mind you they've got the coat for the rain here which is 1 reason for thinking about Deerhounds. They've got the big paws for rough ground, even walking to a hunting spot anywhere around here a greyhound type might not find easy.

Sorry to interrupt a very informative post. The questions were answered pretty quick so thanks to all that responded. I'll follow up on some o' the ideas and suggested threads to read. Cheers

Beinn An Tuirc Gin is a newer Gin local to Argyll, quite new, quite good, postage cost not bad, webpage o' the same name.

Where would I contact the guy for the details and could I use a transport service?

Aye, that's no. 8 on the list.

Makes total sense for a working dog. BTW Alsatian Greyhound seems a good cross. Does he run cunning on the rabbits or has he got a lot of speed still. Alsatians are still fast.

Aye, they seem handy. I'll have a read of that Alan Sankey thread.

Well, I've heard, probably on here too, that Deerhounds strike prey differently than a whippet say and are likely not much good for the rabbits that have undermined a few of the houses around me.