The Scottish Deerhound, often just simply called the Deerhound, is distinguished by its impressive size and demeanor. It has a similar frame and gait to the Greyhound, though with a very different color and coat. Originally bred for hunting and coursing deer in Scotland’s rugged terrain, these dogs are built for speed.
Today, while they may no longer chase wild game, they are still a popular breed for racing. They have a noble, graceful bearing and an affectionate nature that make them excellent companions dogs too. Especially for those who can accommodate their love for open spaces and activity.
Scottish Deerhounds are members of the Hound Group as classified by:
- The American Kennel Club (AKC),
- The Kennel Club (KC) in the UK,
- The International Federation of Kennel Clubs (Fédération Cynologique Internationale – FCI).
If you want to learn more, read on to explore the history, characteristics, and lifestyle of the Scottish Deerhound.
History Of The Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound boasts a rich lineage tracing back to antiquity in Scotland. There are depictions of dogs chasing deer in the hunt with men on horseback, dating as far back as the 9th Century with the Hilton of Cadboll Stone. While there is no evidence linking this breed to this historic record, it illustrates the use of dogs in deer hunting for many centuries in Scotland.
It wouldn’t be too far a stretch to imagine that either the Scottish Deerhound, or a parent breed would be involved in the hunt at that time. It was after all bred for this very purpose, and a favorite breed amongst the Scottish Chieftains. Prized for it’s speed and skill in coursing and hunting deer.
By the 16th century, ownership of these majestic hounds was so coveted that they were a favourite breed with the noble houses and landowners, with their large estates and hunting forests. As modern gun hunting techniques emerged, the breed’s numbers dwindled, nearly leading to its extinction in the late 19th Century. This change in technology coincided with the split up of many Scottish estates into smaller holdings, with smaller hunting forests. The Deerhound, was replaced in its hunting role with slower, tracking breeds.
If not for the efforts of a few enthusiastic breeders, they could have disappeared entirely. But with the efforts of these dedicated few, the Deerhound found a new role as a successful show dog.
Breed Origin
As we’ve explored above, the modern Scottish Deerhound breed originated in medieval Scotland, bred for hunting red deer, and favored for its speed, agility, and sharp sight. It was historically, often referred to as the ‘Royal Dog of Scotland’, because of it’s favor amongst the chiefs and nobles.
It wasn’t until the early 19th Century however, that the breed started to be known commonly as the Scottish Deerhound. The name was given to distinguish the modern breed against similar Greyhound breeds, such as the Highland Greyhound.
There are some that believe the Deerhound originates from old Gaelic Hounds. Others believe the roots go back much further to antiquity, where the hounds were introduced to Scotland by Phoenician traders, possibly as far back as 3000 years. There is weight to both origin theories. One thing we do know, is that the Scottish Deerhound itself was used as a founding breed for the Irish Wolfhound.
Quick Facts
- Noble and Swift – The Scottish Deerhound is a charming breed, with an air of nobility. As a sight hound it has very sharp sight and incredible speed. crucial traits for its historical role in hunting deer across the Scottish Highlands.
- Distinctive Appearance – This breed features a rough, wiry coat and comes in various shades. It is tall, lean and athletic like a Greyhound, but with heavier bones and a very different coat. The more robust build to similar breeds, adds to its aristocratic look.
- Energetic and Athletic – The Deerhound needs consistent daily exercise to stay healthy and content. As adults they might prefer to be couch potatoes, but they need activity to remain happy and healthy. Once you have them outside, they love to let loose. They need to stretch those legs, and if you notice a puppy getting destructive in your home, its probably because they are not getting enough exercise.
- Family-Oriented Companion – Known for their gentle and loving nature, Scottish Deerhounds form deep bonds with their families and thrive in a home environment where they are included in daily activities. They are usually really good with other dogs too.
- Coat Maintenance – Their rough coat, while low-maintenance compared to other breeds, does require regular grooming to keep it in good condition and free of mats.
Characteristics Of The Scottish Deerhound
You will often find that the Scottish Deerhound, is simply called the Deerhound. Some sources are not very good at explaining that both terms are for exactly the same dog. Buy they are. Other than this, it doesn’t really have any other nicknames. It generally retains its full name, particularly in most formal settings such as show and competition.
Scottish Deerhounds typically have litters ranging from 4 to 7 puppies. These puppies are energetic and quickly adapt to their surroundings. They can be an absolute handful though, particularly if raised alone and without good early socialization. In that respect, it is essential for these puppies to spend the first few (8 to 10) weeks with their mother and other pups to learn important social behaviors.
The cost of a Scottish Deerhound puppy varies based on factors like lineage and breeder reputation, generally ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. In the UK, you can pick up a pedigree pup for around £650 – £750. You can sometimes find older pups in rescue, around the 6 or 7 month age for cheaper. But be careful, as many are given up because of a poor early start, proving to be too much of a handful for their inexperienced or over committed owner.
Appearance
Athletic and statuesque are two of the best words to describe the appearance of the Scottish Deerhound. The breed stands tall, with a graceful but also rugged appearance, mirroring its historical roots as a hunter in harsh landscapes. It’s hard to keep your hair neat and tidy when it’s ‘blawn a hoolie’, as the natives might say!
Slightly taller and leaner, with bigger bones than its close relative, the Greyhound, the Deerhound combines strength with a breed defining elegance. While a Greyhound might outpace them on an even surface, the Deerhound is the quicker on rugged, uneven and hilly terrain.
The Scottish Deerhound is one of the largest of the Sighthound breeds. Adult males typically stand 30 to 32 inches at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller by around an inch or two. Their weight ranges from 80 to 110 pounds, with males again being the largest of the sexes. They reach full size by about 18 months of age.
The Deerhound features a long head with a tapering muzzle and a long, tapered tail. Its ears are set high and fold back against a long, arched neck, contributing to its noble profile. The breed’s body is well-muscled, with a deep chest and strong back, built for endurance and speed.
| Male | Female | |
| Height | 30 to 32 in (76 – 81 cm) | 28 – 30 in (71 – 76 cm) |
| Weight | 85 to 110 lb (39 to 50 kg) | 75 to 95 lb (34 to 43 kg) |
Coat
The Deerhound’s coat is a fitting metaphor for the landscape they endured as a hunting dog. Rough, wiry, and weather-resistant by nature, the coat provides insulation against the damp and cold Scottish climate. Despite it’s appearance, it is actually quite an easy coat to maintain and care for.
Color
Historically, their coat color varied widely, including shades of grey, brindle, fawn, red, and blue, often with white markings. Today though, you’re unlikely to see their wiry coat in anything other than shades of grey/blue. The breed standard colors as described by the AKC are:
- Blue Grey
- Brindle
- Grey
- Grey Brindle
Temperament
Known for their gentle and dignified temperament, Deerhounds are very friendly and affectionate with their family. Despite their large size, they are exceptionally gentle with children and integrate well into family life. They possess a quiet and amiable nature, typically showing reserved behavior around strangers, but not usually any aggression.
Deerhounds thrive on companionship and should not be left isolated for long periods. This breed’s serene disposition makes them excellent indoor dogs and they are likely to claim your spot on the couch. Plenty exercise is needed to keep their behaviour healthy and well mannered.
They are great with other dogs, and do better in homes where they have other canine companions. They do have a tendency to chase smaller animals though, so should be kept on the leash for walks, unless in a fenced off or safe area.
Lifespan
With an average life expectancy of between 8 to 11 years, they are not particularly long lived. Some studies suggest the average was around 8.8 years, which is below average. The most common cause of death in the same documented study, was cardiac related illnesses. These resulted in around a quarter of overall deaths.
Known Health Issues
The Deerhound does have some conditions that the breed are susceptible to. Some are common amongst all sighthounds, while some are more prevalent specifically in the Deerhound.
In the same study mentioned briefly above, on the mortality of purebred dogs in the UK, nearly 44% of all deaths are related to cardiac or cancer conditions. That is higher than average. Many conditions they suffer from are typically due to their size and genetic background. Here are the most common:
Gastric Torsion (Bloat) – A life-threatening condition where the stomach distends and twists. Immediate professional intervention is crucial.
- Prevention/Treatment: Feeding smaller, frequent meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around feeding times can help prevent bloat.
Cardiomyopathy – A heart condition common in large breeds, affecting the muscle of the heart and its ability to pump effectively.
- Treatment: Managed with medications and monitoring by a vet.
Osteosarcoma – This is a type of bone cancer that is unfortunately common in larger breeds like the Scottish Deerhound.
- Treatment: Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and pain management depending on the severity and location of the tumor.
Hip Dysplasia – Like many large breeds, they can suffer from hip dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis or mobility issues.
- Treatment: Includes weight management, anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly surgery.
Daily Life With A Scottish Deerhound
Now that we’ve explored the history and different characteristics of a Scottish Deerhound, let’s take a look at what daily life with one of these dogs looks like.
Food and Diet
The Scottish Deerhound needs a high-quality diet rich in proteins and fats to maintain their muscle mass and energy levels. Portion control is crucial as Deerhounds can easily gain excess weight if overfed, which can lead to health issues.
It’s recommended to feed them at least two meals a day, (but three or four is also great) rather than one large meal to prevent bloat, a common problem in larger breeds. Deerhound pups have different dietary needs, requiring more frequent feedings of formulated food to support their rapid development. Always ensure fresh water is available, especially after exercise to keep them hydrated.
For a Scottish Deerhound, the amount of food depends on their age, size, activity level, and health. Generally, an adult Deerhound might require about 3 to 5 cups of high-quality dry dog food daily, spread across their meals. The actual amount for your dog will depend on how active and how old they are.
Exercise
Ideally, a Deerhound will be able to run freely in a secured yard or field. They are a sight to behold when at full speed. In public, they should not be off the leash, as even when well trained, they have an inherent tendency to give chase to anything it might consider prey. It’s in their coursing nature, an instinct that needs to be managed as a responsible owner.
At the very least, two moderate walks per day. They don’t have the most demanding activity needs, but if you don’t exercise them enough at a young age, they can turn frustrated and destructive as under stimulated pups. If you don’t walk them enough in adulthood, they will easily put on too much weight and this can lead to further health problems. If you don’t have time to walk them frequently, then they are not the dog for you.
Family Compatibility
Deerhounds are excellent family pets, known for their loyalty and gentle disposition. They are affectionate family members, and this includes with children and other dogs too. They do need space to roam though, suited most to homes in the countryside or suburban areas with plenty of space to let them safely loose. A large fenced yard is ideal, but an apartment or city life is not for these dogs. Active families are best, but they are happy to be a companion, spending plenty time on the couch too.
Training
Deerhound pups can be a handful to train, in that you need to invest a lot of time with them. They don’t do well in kennels or when left alone, constantly needing companionship. It’s in their interest and an owners, to invest this time early for the best life for all involved.
A well trained pup will turn into a well adjusted member of the family. But without proper time invested, they may become destructive, socially anxious or overly sensitive. They respond well to positive reinforcement and reward based training. The earlier you start the better, and they do pick up their training enthusiastically.
Socializing
Early socialization is crucial for this breed to manage their reserved nature around strangers. It is also essential to help them understand how to behave with other small pets. Particularly those that are not dogs. It will always have a strong drive to chase anything that speeds past it, so if you own a cat for example, the dog needs to learn early that the cat is a member of your family and not something to harass.
Grooming
Despite the wiry appearance, the Deerhound’s coat is actually pretty easy to maintain. They need an all over brush around once per week, and a regular bath but the frequency for this will depend how active they are, and in what terrain they take their exercise. A muddy runner will need more frequent baths for example. It’s a good opportunity to check for ticks when you give them a good brush too.
A regular check and clip of the nails when they get too long, and a check of the ears too will keep them healthy and happy.
Breed Traits
| Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
| Moderate activity needs | Has the sighthound chase instinct |
| Beautiful dog | Not suited to city or apartment life |
| Affectionate Nature | Below average life expectancy |
| Good with other dogs and children | Needs lots of space |
| Only really barks to alert – not yappy |
Breed FAQs
Do Scottish Deerhounds get along with other dogs?
Generally, yes they do. They tend to get on very well with other dogs, but they might give chase to any other animals that run past so best kept on the leash.
Can Scottish deerhounds be left alone?
They don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time. They are pack animals, and love to be around their humans or other dogs. Alone, they will bore easily and they can become destructive.
Summary
The Scottish Deerhound is a breed with noble roots, a gentle temperament and graceful appearance. Ideal for families looking for a loyal and affectionate companion, but this breed needs lots of space to thrive. Regular exercise is essential to maintain its health and happiness, but moderate amounts are enough. It does well with other dogs, but you need to be responsible with their coursing heritage and chase instincts.
It’s a breed that really needs an owner with a bit of experience and responsibility, that can take the training on with gusto and assertiveness, rather than for first time owners.
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