** This thread discusses the content article: Deerhound Bitch Makes History **

So, did Wist's smaller size give her an advantage over the bigger hounds?. She weighs in at 69 pounds and stands 28 inches at the shoulder,much smaller than some of her competition. Do the bigger Deerhounds have longer strides giving them an advantage or do the smaller ones turn easier ths giving them the advantage?. Let's have a discussion on performance and function, after all they should all be functional as well as able to win in the showring!.
Regards..Joan.

OK, I'll bite. My Dileas is about 29" at the shoulder and fairly lightly built, so she's probably of comparable size to Wist. She goes like the clappers and can turn on a sixpence, much to her brother's annoyance. This gives her a distinct advantage in lure coursing, play-fighting with Tavish and on ground game like rabbits and hares, but I'm not sure it's of any use where bringing down red deer is involved: you have to remember what Deerhounds are actually for. Tav, on the other hand, is more robust and has the extra weight and strength that would make him a better prospect on the hill, even though he's considered small here. I do keep boring on about it, I know, but I believe that Deerhounds don't have to be enormous to do the job they were developed for - it's a matter of hitting prey in the right place to knock it over, and then having the gumption to go in and hold it.

I agree with Sid. Our Callie (who is Dileas' sister) is also 29" at the shoulder and built very much the same. But when she runs she really does fly and can turn quite quickly. Fergal on the other hand is very much like Tavish (no relation)is chunker, not as fast and about 32". When they are running together or play fighting, Callie will let Fergal get just close enough, then drop a gear and leave him standing, Fergal is not impressed!
Spring

Hi i will bite as well our deerhound dog blue is just over 30" to the shoulder and slimly built he to can turn quickly and cover great distance with speed and (IF) i were to run him on game i (KNOW) he would be able to take down a deer. You are right it is all about having the guts to go in and hold it. As far as i am aware it is illegal to run dogs on game in Britian so people now have to be careful about there choices of words as hares and deer are game.

I'll bite too.
Probably Wist's greatest advantage is that she is in a home that cares for function and working sighthounds. That's a great start in life. Then, partly thanks to the previous, she's immensely enthusiastic. The famous element of 'inbetween the ears' or 'heart'. And finally, yes she's the size of the the true working, or deer coursing, Deerhound. They were that size for a very good reason.
Since the appearance of sighthounds, there has always been this discussion if dogs were better than bitches, or vice versa. Generally speaking, in long, very long straights it pays to be large and have a long stride, that advantage diminishes when agility and stamina are required. In live coursing: English(viz."Irish")Greyhounds, the Waterloo Cup was dominated by dogs. Long run ups. In Spanish live coursing with Galgos, El Copo del Rey - The King's Cup, bitches dominate. Longer runs, with a minimum course duration of 55", otherwise a no-course!
It pays to have a beautiful body, and know how to use it.
Richard
It was a pleasure to meet you both, see some good lure coursing, and of course the Museum of the Dog!

Ah, Richard..you have no idea how women agree with your statement...boy, I must be really tired...(at the end of your post..that is)

Ok...just having a little over tired fun....sorry if anyone is offended...but..really...

Hahahahaha! Not offended at all thought the same thing, most of the girlies would agree! Gx

we always thought our smaller dog (brother littermates) was the fastest, as the effort he puts in is enormous and he's very well muscled becasue he is playful and always wants to chase the tennis ball (and his brother). but as they've matured it is obvious big brother has just been teasing little brother. for when he wants to (which are the operative words here) he stretches out gracefully and seemingly effortlessly with his long legs and leaves his brother in his wake. the smaller dog is elemental in his power. the larger is like an arrow shot from a bow. the smaller dog ducks, dashes and weaves and turns on a sixpence. the larger dog literally jump-turns, stopping his front and letting his back carry on so that he ends up facing in the other direction and then starts off again. the smaller dog is all power. the larger is more momentum. they'd both have no problems whatsoever chasing a stag and bringing it down. in fact they've brought us down quite a few times!

Well, she must have something going for her as she just won 2 more Lure Coursing Trials in Lompoc, California!!. So, she is now an AKC Field Champion finishing with all Majors, UNDEFEATED. I think her small, compact size combined with really good muscling just gives her the edge and the one thing I have noticed is that she can take any corner and get around it with apparently not a lot of effort...what a girl.
Joan.