Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a gentle, dignified sighthound with a noble bearing, once the exclusive hunting companion of Scottish Highland chieftains.
Personality Traits
History and Origins
undefinedAppearance
undefinedIs a Deerhound Right for You?
undefinedLiving with a Deerhound
Deerhounds are gentle, dignified dogs who are calm and quiet in the home. They are affectionate with their families and good with children despite their large size. They get on well with other dogs, especially other sighthounds. Their strong prey drive means they cannot be trusted with small pets. They need space - a flat is not suitable for this breed.
Training Tips
- Use gentle, positive methods - they are sensitive souls
- Accept their independent sighthound nature
- Off-lead recall is unreliable due to prey drive
- Socialise well from puppyhood
- Lure coursing provides an excellent outlet for their instincts
Temperament
Gentle, dignified and friendly. Deerhounds are quiet, polite dogs who are easy to live with despite their size. They are affectionate without being demanding. They are lazy indoors but athletic outdoors. They are not natural watchdogs and tend to greet everyone warmly.
Exercise Needs
About 60 minutes of exercise daily with opportunities for free running in large, secure areas. They are sprinters rather than endurance runners. They enjoy a good gallop but are content with moderate walks. As puppies, exercise should be limited to protect developing joints. They enjoy lure coursing.
Grooming
The harsh, wiry coat needs brushing once or twice per week. Hand-stripping may be needed occasionally. The coat is not high-maintenance compared to many long-coated breeds. Regular ear cleaning, nail trimming and dental care round out their grooming needs.
Health
Prone to bone cancer (osteosarcoma), bloat, heart conditions (dilated cardiomyopathy), liver shunt and neck pain (cervical spondylomyelopathy). Like many giant breeds, they have a shorter lifespan. Anaesthesia sensitivity is a concern. Average lifespan 8-11 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Deerhounds lazy?
They are often described as the ultimate couch potato indoors. They love nothing more than sleeping on a comfortable sofa. However, outdoors they transform into powerful, athletic dogs capable of great speed. This combination of indoor calm and outdoor athleticism is very appealing to their owners.
How big do Deerhounds get?
They are one of the tallest dog breeds. Males typically stand 76cm (30 inches) or more at the shoulder and weigh 39-50 kg. Females are somewhat smaller. Despite their size, they are graceful and elegant rather than heavy or cumbersome.
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