The hair on the face radiates in all directions from two whorls. The pelage of the adult is generally uniformly colored, with the species varying in color from light to dark brown. Usually, the body is bright reddish brown above and lighter below, and the underside of the tail is white.
Some species are especially light-colored.
The body is stout, the limbs are slender, and the back is arched. Although the antlers vary in size, they lack a brow tine and are usually simple spikes in all species. The upper canines may be present or absent. The metatarsal gland is absent. Females have four mammae.