Scottish Deerhound: temperament, size, care and health

About the Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound is a tall, long-legged sighthound with a rough, wiry coat that is shaggier on the chest, brows and beard. Its build looks like a larger and heavier Greyhound, and it carries an air of quiet dignity. The usual color is blue-gray, but gray, brindle, yellow and red fawn also occur. Males stand about thirty inches or more, and the body weight is substantial but never bulky.

The breed was developed to run down and hold the red deer on the open Scottish Highlands, a task that demanded strength, speed and courage. At home it is a quiet, polite dog that spends hours lying on its bed, a sharp contrast with the power it shows when it runs.

Temperament and family life

The Deerhound is mild, affectionate and eager to be near its people. It is usually friendly toward strangers and is not a guard dog. It can be sensitive and does not respond well to harsh treatment, and it does best in an easy, calm household. It often follows its owner from room to room and may try to sit on a lap, a remarkable feat for a dog of its size.

It is gentle with children but heavy and clumsy enough to knock over small ones. It generally gets along with other dogs. Like all sighthounds, it will chase small animals that run, so cats and rabbits outdoors are at risk. A Deerhound brought up with a cat may accept that cat. It does not tolerate isolation well and should live in the house.

Exercise and training

A Deerhound needs a daily walk and the chance to gallop in a large, securely fenced yard. It is not as demanding as many working breeds, and an adult is content to relax for most of the day. The fence must be high, because the dog is athletic and will chase what it sees. Puppies grow fast and should not be exercised hard or made to jump, which can strain developing joints.

The dog is intelligent but independent, and it gets bored by repetition. Training based on praise, patience and short sessions works best. Leash manners are important in a big dog, and a recall cannot be trusted near distractions. A soft bed is necessary to protect elbows and hips from calluses.

Grooming and shedding

The harsh coat is easier to keep than a soft, long one. A thorough brushing and combing once or twice a week prevents tangles, particularly in the beard and behind the ears. Some owners pluck or strip loose hair by hand a couple of times a year to keep the texture, but heavy trimming is discouraged. Shedding is moderate.

The beard collects water and food. Nails, ears and teeth need routine care, and the feet should be checked for cuts after walks in rough terrain.

Health

The breed has a shorter lifespan than many, often eight to eleven years. Main concerns are bloat, a life-threatening twist of the stomach, heart disease including dilated cardiomyopathy, and osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. Others include cystinuria, a metabolic condition leading to bladder stones, liver shunts and sensitivity to some anesthetics. Responsible breeders check hearts and follow health registries and may use DNA testing. Treat this as general information on the Scottish Deerhound, and take questions about an individual dog to a veterinarian.

History

The Deerhound is generally traced to the Scottish Highlands, where chieftains kept the dogs to bring down red deer, and it came to be associated with Scottish nobility. As the old hunting estates broke up and firearms replaced coursing, the breed declined, and a small group of enthusiasts kept it going as a show breed. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1886.

Is the Scottish Deerhound right for you?

A Deerhound suits a quiet, spacious home with a secure yard and an owner prepared for a giant breed with a limited lifespan. It is a poor choice for small apartments, for anyone wanting a protective or highly obedient dog or for households with small pets.

Compare the heavier and taller Irish Wolfhound, the sleeker Greyhound and the long-coated Borzoi.