Scottish Deerhound Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

38-50 kg

Height

75-82 cm

Lifespan

8-11 years

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About the Scottish Deerhound

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

This dog was once only deemed worthy for those of high social class, but happily, these days it’s now a companion dog to many. There is much to know and understand about this noble and gentle giant.

Instantly recognisable and a popular breed despite its gangly size, read on for more information to help you decide whether this is the right dog breed for you!

What is the history & origin of the Scottish Deerhound?

This breed unsurprising originates from Scotland, as its name suggests. Their history dates back to the 16th century, and although their ancestry is unclear, they are said to have been originally bred to hunt deer, wolves, and later stags for their owners in the Scottish highlands.

This breed was seen as important to the people of that time and in fact, they were seen as the Royal dog of Scotland.

The breed nearly became extinct in 1769, but fortunately, in 1820, breeders strived to recover the breed. And although they are still seen as a rare breed, the noble Scottish Deerhound has managed to spread around the world.

What is a Scottish Deerhound breed?

This breed is categorised as purebred dogs and was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1886. It has its breed club and is registered with the Scottish Deerhound Club, among other clubs and registries specific to designer breeds.

They have also been called Irish Wolfdogs, Scottish Greyhounds, Rough Greyhounds, or Highland Deerhounds.

Who is a Scottish Deerhound best for?

Their size alone might make it evident that this dog is not suited for apartment living. They need lots of living space; a backyard would be perfect for them to roam around.

Their size may make them seem aggressive, but the Scottish Deerhound is not. In fact, it won’t make a good guard dog as it’s too friendly to strangers to scare anyone away. So if you are looking for a large dog for protection, you might not want to choose this one.

They are a friendly breed and get along with children of all ages, making them perfect for large families looking for a playmate for their human family members.

The Scottish Deerhound will fit perfectly with your lifestyle if you are an active individual but are also quite lazy and laid back, which is a healthy balance for everyone.

Scottish Deerhound Grooming & Shedding

The Scottish Deerhound can be identified as a tall dog. They have a wiry coat and have a bit of a fringe on the back of their legs.

Their harsh coat is usually a dark blue-grey mix but can also come in dark grey, light grey, brindle, red fawn, yellow or sandy red.

They are heavy shedders and shed throughout the year, so you can expect dog hair to be all over the place. This means they aren’t hypoallergenic and are therefore unsuitable for people allergic to dog dander.

They must be brushed at least once or twice weekly to detangle the hair and distribute skin oils evenly. The best way to do this is to brush in the direction the hair grows with a specific metal comb known as a greyhound comb.

Bathing should only be done when necessary to get rid of doggy odour. Clipping their nails, brushing their teeth and plucking the hairs from their ears should also be added to their grooming routine.

This breed doesn’t require a lengthy grooming routine but if these steps are something you feel is not something you can handle, mainly because they are large dogs, you can take them to a professional groomer. A pampered pooch will always be a happy pooch!

Do Scottish Deerhounds bark a lot?

This giant breed may look tough, but it isn’t an aggressive breed. Barking is not something they are known for, and they will only bark when necessary.

The only times Scottish Deerhounds bark is if they feel threatened or sense danger. They aren’t wary of strangers and are friendly towards other dogs and cats. They are more likely to bark at small dogs and animals because of the inherited high prey drive.

Socialise your Deerhound puppies so that they are comfortable in different types of environments as well as around other animals and children.

What is the average weight & height of a Scottish Deerhound?

The average weight of the male Scottish Deerhound is between 38 kg – 50 kg, with an average size between 75 cm – 82 cm.

The average weight of the female Scottish Deerhound is between 34 kg – 43 kg, with an average size between 71 cm – 76 cm.

Are Scottish Deerhounds easy to train?

If you are a novice dog owner considering getting this breed, you’ll be happy to know that they are easy to train. They are, however, lazy dogs and more likely to take training seriously if they know they are getting something out of it. This is why positive reinforcement training works well for Deerhounds.

This breed needs to be socialised at an early age as their prey drive could cause issues as they grow. Get your pup into a puppy kindergarten class to familiarise them with other dogs, people, and environments.

These giant breeds are commonly used as show dogs because of their unique appearance and rareness, as well as in dog sports, so training them for this could be fun.

They love to please their pet parents and want to excel in their tasks seeing that they are inherently working dogs.

How do Scottish Deerhounds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Being named the “Noble Scottish Deerhound” is one that so aptly describes this breed. They make great four-legged friends to their human owners and have mainly positive personality traits.

These dogs are friendly towards everyone and are likelier to show strangers this than be wary of them. They engage well with children of all ages despite being large and are fun-loving playmates. They are described as extremely loyal, devoted, and gentle, which are beautiful ways to describe this gentle giant.

On the other hand, these dogs can be lazy and have a bit of an – if I do this, what would I get out of it – attitude, which may be a challenge. However, their want to please their owner can overshadow this.

The Scottish Deerhound temperament is going to be based on their living environment. They need to be socialised early, given obedience training and be well looked after to ensure that you have a happy and healthy dog and will be a pleasure to be around.

Does the Scottish Deerhound have any common health issues?

Reputable breeders will inform you beforehand that your pup may be suffering from genetic health problems and how to look after them as they do medical checks on their breeding dogs.

Take your dog for monthly check-ups at the vet throughout your dog’s life to ensure that they are healthy.

These are the most common health issues your Scottish Deerhound may face:

Anesthesia Sensitivity – Your dog will not respond well to even a regular dosage of anesthesia, and it can be fatal.
Cystinuria – This is a genetic disorder that affects the dog’s kidneys.
Hypothyroidism – A condition where the thyroid gland is underactive.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy – The heart muscles become thin, leading to the heart’s enlargement.
Gastric Torsion (Bloat) – A serious condition where the stomach twists and fills with gas.
Osteosarcoma – This is a bone cancer that is common in large breeds.
Allergies Various allergies can affect your dog’s skin and overall health.
Factor VII Deficiency – Your dog will bleed excessively from minor injuries; it is a fatal deficiency.

What is the lifespan of a Scottish Deerhound?

The average life expectancy of this breed is 8 – 11 years.

How much does a Scottish Deerhound need to be fed?

This is a large dog, and because food is measured based on how much your dog weighs and its activity level, it eats more than most dogs.

They need 3 – 4 cups of dry high-quality dog food and should be fed this twice a day. For every stage of your canines life, they are going to require different amounts and kinds of food.

For a healthier dog, ensure it gets the correct balance of nutrients in its diet so that they develop properly. Monitor your dog’s weight and eating habits as they are prone to gaining weight.

How much can you expect to pay for a Scottish Deerhound in Australia?

There is a lot to think about when purchasing a dog. The price could be a significant deciding factor. Buying a Scottish Deerhound can cost between $1500 – $3500.

Scottish Deerhound FAQs

Are Scottish Deerhounds good around kids?

This breed interacts well with children of all ages. The dog and the child must understand how to interact first, mainly because this is a large breed that may not always be aware of its size. Early socialisation will help your dog with this.

Is a Scottish Deerhound the same as an Irish Wolfhound?

These two dog breeds are not the same. They may look similar and come from neighbouring countries, but they are two distinct breeds.

Do Scottish Deerhounds get along with cats?

This breed isn’t aggressive and can get along well with cats. However, they have a high prey drive, leading to chasing smaller animals like cats. This can be stopped through proper training and socialisation.