FIRST TIME SHOWN

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32450, 10 November 1970, Page 20

FIRST TIME SHOWN

Six Scottish deerhounds,' a breed almost unknown in New Zealand, will be on show for the first time at the Canterbury Kennel Club’s show at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show this week. The dogs were bred in Christchurch by Mr W. Bradley, of Greenhaven Drive, Burwood, who has produced eight puppies from the pair of these dogs that he imported into New Zealand. Mr Bradley said he believed that there were only 12 Scottish deerhounds in

the country; all but two of these are in Christchurch. The Scottish deerhound stands 28in to 32in high at the shoulder and weighs up to 1101 b. It was bred and raised to hunt and was reputed to have pulled down a highland stag more than three times its own weight. The breed is traced as far as the fourteenth century. It is. similar to the greyhound, but larger, and has a harsh, wiry coat. In 1594, James VI (James I of England) sent 10 of

the breed as a present to the King of Denmark, and made a further gift of nine dogs five years later. The breed almost disappeared at the end of the eightenth century but came away again during the

mid-nineteenth century. Sir Walter Scott greatly admired the dog and General George Custer had four of them during the

Indian wars. The picture shows one of Mr Bradley’s Scottish deerhound puppies which was successfully shown at the recent Ellesmere Show.