Here they are, clockwise starting from the Whippet: Hippu (Woodbrook's All You Need), Milla (FIN & EST CH Kilbrandon Camilla), Riatta (FIN CH & KVA-m SMM-92 -93 -94 Sweetscot Dal Riata) and Chic Aristocrat's Benjamin.
And here they go... Dashing after one of the Deerhounds, Hippu puts on her best Blood-Thirsty Killer Whippet act. Hippu was about seven years old at this point and always ready for a good run with any canine friend.
Led by Riatta, a retired multiple Finnish Coursing Champion and one of the nicest dogs we've met, the Deerhounds zoom up and down the sand dunes. While a sighthound considers any excuse for a sprint good enough, nothing beats having a couple of other dogs to run with.
"What I like so much about Deerhounds," Hannu said, "is that indoors, you hardly notice them," (Eero's comment: Well, not until you try to find yourself a place on the couch), "but outdoors, they are pure energy!" And he was right, Deerhounds truly are magnificent creatures.
Now it is Hippu's turn to play rabbit. To a casual observer the situation may seem life-threatening for the little Whippet, but in fact she is immensely enjoying being chased... sighthounds tend to have an instinctive liking for each other and Deerhounds rarely play rough.
But was this really safe considering the size differences between the dogs? We must admit we were a bit naive about it at the time. While there was no chance the Deerhounds would intentionally hurt Hippu, accidents can and do happen and in any crash between two dogs the smaller one is always the one who gets hurt. Luckily nothing of the kind has happened in any of our dozens of outings with Deerhounds over the years.
"Catch me if you can! Oh-oh, you can!" Hippu finds that Milla is indeed a very quick Deerhound. Theoretically, Deerhounds cannot match the Whippet's higher power-to weight ratio and and lower center of balance, and therefore the smaller dog is able to accelerate and turn quicker. In practice once the Deerhound gets her 40 kg (90 lbs) of weight going, her long stride carries her over obstacles the Whippet has to go around... Milla was only a couple of years old at the time and a very athletic girl.
And then it is Hippu's turn to chase Milla who, rocketing past the photographer, seems unconstrained by cumbersome gravitational laws... Just look at the smile on Hippu's face, see how much she is enjoying this...
Speed limits are definitely not enforceable here! Hippu tries to out-turn Benjamin and Milla, but they have neatly boxed her. Deerhounds hunt in pairs so that should their quarry attempt to evade one it will turn right towards the other. Originally bred for chasing and killing deer, Deerhounds have great strength and endurance and are able to run for extended periods when needed.
An open beach like this is an open invitation to a race for any sighthound. And indeed, this was probably the fastest we ever saw Hippu run... the velocities achieved by these dogs on that day had to be seen to be believed... By the time Hippu got back to the photographer there was but one Deerhound still left in the race, the quick and nimble Milla.
Unconsciously mimicing each other, Riatta and Hippu pause for a moment to savor the salty sea wind.
Well, nothing lasts for ever. Soon it was time to return to the camping area.
Riatta: "Now wasn't that fun!"
Benjamin: "Yes! Running is always a great way to spend an hour or so."
Milla: "And the scenery was exquisite! Such beautiful sand dunes, and all those white-capped waves!"
Hippu: "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving!"
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