_Colour._--Fawn, yellow, blue and white and black-and-tan are frequently seen. The last-named colour should not be encouraged in these Hounds. White markings are common. His coat should be dense, of a wiry texture, shaggy in appearance, and of a water-resisting nature. When judging these dogs, particular attention is paid to the coat. A soft coat is decidedly objectionable, so is one that is thin. _Height._--About 25 inches. _Eyes._--Deeply sunk, thoughtful, showing the "haw" plainly. _Ears._--Long and sweeping, hanging closely to the cheeks. _Skull._--The peak is less prominent than that of the Bloodhound and the head shorter, but the flews large and loose. Like the ears, it is covered by shaggy hair, softer than that on the body. Beneath the lower jaw there is a moustache. Large teeth and powerful jaws are indispensable in an encounter with an otter. Of Foxhound-like conformation, the frame is of stouter build altogether. _Neck._--Thick, of medium length, ending in very powerful shoulders and arms, and the chest must be deep, running and swimming demanding a sound heart and lungs. Dewlap loose. A strong back and loins, the latter slightly arched, an additional qualification of the breed. Should be shorter in the leg than a Foxhound, but have big-boned, muscular limbs, with large feet, close, and horny below. These Hounds hunt both by scent and by sight, their scenting-power being developed to a remarkable degree. The music of Otterhounds is rich, deep and mellow. =The Deerhound= [Illustration] Regarding the origin of the Scottish Deerhound there is very little reliable information, though there can be no questioning the fact that it is a variety of dog indigenous to the Highlands, and bred specially for the purpose of hunting the deer. 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. In the lighter coloured dogs a black muzzle is preferred. There should be a good moustache of rather silky hair and a fair beard.