Scottish Deerhound

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Scottish Deerhound

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As one of the hound breeds, Scottish Deerhounds still have hound instincts. But the Deerhounds was historically bred to stalk wild deers, they are not ferocious. Active and experienced owners will bring them outdoor walking and running, as this breed enjoy it very much.

Other Names Deerhound, Lebrel Escoces, Schottischer Hirschhund
Color Blue, brindle, fawn, gray, red, yellow
Height Males: 30-32 inches. Females: 27-30 inches.
Weight Males: 85-110 pounds. Females: 75-95 pounds.
Life Span 8-11 years
Personality Gentle, Dignified, Polite
Exercise Regular Exercise
Origin
Popularity #149
Groom Needs Occasional Bath/Brush and Seasonal Shedding
Kids Friendly Yes with supervision
Dog Friendly Yes
Watch Dog
Family Dog
Litter Size 4–15 puppies

Scottish Deerhound Pictures

Scottish Deerhound Video

Introduction

The Scottish Deerhound, a magnificent looking dog, has a romantic past and a noble bearing. Walter Scott, the owner of a deerhound called Maida described this breed as “the most perfect creature of Heaven.” This dog can be described as affectionate to all, good with children and other pets. He loves nothing more than to run or have long walks with his human owners and then afterward happy to snooze in a sunny spot. He has an elegant and polite air, but he is not aloof. He is loyal and courageous, but never aggressive. He does not make the best watchdog. He’s too amiable to be a good watchdog. This dog doesn’t want to be left alone for hours on end, and long hours in a crate can damage his joints. If you have the endurance and strength to meet his needs, he will make a loyal and loving companion. He stands around 32 inches at the shoulder and weighs around 110 pounds. The typical Deerhound’s coat is dark blue-gray, or dark gray, light gray. They shed throughout the year and you will need to brush his coat with a wire brush about twice a week to remove dead hair, stimulate his circulation, and distribute his natural skin oils.

Living with Scottish Deerhound

Owners will find it easy to groom Scottish Deerhounds. They have harsh and wiry coat, so an overrall brushing and combing is approriate. Owners can choose to groom them weekly to keep them in good appearance. When it comes with grooming, all you need is a metal comb and a soft brush. Brush their hair from their skin surface, which is also a way to keep dogs in good health. In this way, any mats or tangles can be avoided. Owners also need to trim Deerhounds’ nails regularly. Electric nail grinder can be a good choice, convenient and safe. If owners find it unnecessary, a pair of nail clippers can be also applicable to the Deerhounds. Body-bathing, ear-cleaning and teeth-brushing are of great importance, too. Owners can decrease the signs of infections, irritations and dirt built up. Owners will interact with pets more if there’s hardly existence of odor.

Deerhounds are basically fond of playing around, so it takes some efforts for owners to take them around for some exercise. When Deerhounds are at a young age, owners should take them to outdoor area. In this way, puppies can gradually get used to exercising, which brings benefits not only to physicality but to mentality. Take puppies out once a day for a slow walk or interact with companion playmate can be suiatble. When it comes with adult Deerhounds, owners should take them out for running or brisk walking. Large and secure areas are more applicable to the Deerhounds to run off their energy. Fenced yard are perfect place for them, as this breed enjoy running. However, owners need to concern about inappropriate ways of dogs exercise. The Deerhounds are not suitable for running with a bike, as this durative exercise might cause dangers to them. Senior Deerhounds are not fantastic about running and walking. They prefer to be a couch potato. Owners should be patient with them, as exercise is still of great importance for senior dogs.

The Scottish Deerhound should be fed with high quality dog food. They are not critical about food, and they can hardly distinct dangerous food which can cause life-threatening outcome. So owners need to learn more information about what food should not be applicable to the Deerhounds. Nutritious and fresh meals should be available. Commercially manufactured or home-prepared dog foods are both okay if the ingredients are healthy. Puppy, adult and senior dogs have can eat different amounts of food, so owners should feed dogs appropriate amount of food according to their specific age. Some dogs might have overweight issues, and owners should concern about these and check the calorie consumption and weight level regularly. Owners might find the weight of dogs increase sharply at training period. So any excessive feed should be inproper though food is an aid in training. 

Scottish Deerhounds are basically healthy breed. Careful breeders will do a health screen for them. In general, Scottish Deerhounds can be in good health if owners take them out for some walks and runs and keep them clean in general. But some dogs are prone to suffer from unavoidable health issues, such as osteosarcoma, cardiomyopathy, bloat, splenic torsion, cystinuria, and etc. Owners should learn about these disease in advance to decide the breeding plan. Once owners decide to keep this breed, learning the syptoms and measures of these diseases should be necessary. Owners should offer clean and fresh water to Deerhounds, as feeding is also of great importance in keeping dogs in good health. 

Total Annual Cost: $3200

Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.

Scottish Deerhounds are eay to get trained, as they are smart and alert. Owners will find it easy to have them pick up obedience ability, but this breed are not perfect at obedience. So you can hardly find Deerhounds at competitions aiming at obedience. Owners can choose to train their agility ability, which can do good to their mental and physical health. But it is not a good choice to have them participate in agility competitions, as Scottish Deerhounds have high body weight and long stride. However, owners still can choose to train their agility to add pet-owner emotional connections and more interactions. Deerhounds are good at lure coursing, which is legal in many states. They can perform well in hare coursing and for coyote hunting. 

History

The Scottish deerhound originates in Scotland. His original purpose was to bring down the Scottish roe deer years back, already in the 16th century. This deer would be twice the size of the dog. 

Over the centuries, they’ve been known as Irish wolfdogs, Scottish greyhounds, rough greyhounds, and Highland deerhounds. 

It is said that a nobleman condemned to death could purchase his life with a gift of deerhounds. No-one beneath the rank of an earl could lay claim to a deerhound; after all, this was the ‘Royal Dog of Scotland’.

It came close to extinction many times by the wars and other things, and by 1769 the breed was in dire straits. In 1820, two men Archibald and Duncan McNeill tried to restore the breed and the breed eventually made its way to America as well. 

Can you imagine! Trudie Styler has plenty of these dogs at her Dukesarum Kennel and often she will take them on walks, at seven to eight at a time!

The regimental mascot for the Irish Guards, Domhnall retired from his duties in September 2019, having been praised for his amazing personality during intense ceremonial duties, giving 7 years of loyal service. Thank you Army Mascot Domhnall for your amazing service!

The first Scottish deerhound registered by the American Kennel Club was Bonnie Robin in 1886.

Helpful Information

Breed Club: The Scottish Deerhound Club of America

Breed Club Link: https://deerhound.org/

Breed Club Rescue: The SDCA’s Rescue & Placement

Breed Club Rescue Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Deerhound