Scottish Deerhound

also known as Deerhound

Pros Summary


The Scottish Deerhound is a large, sighthound breed that originated in Scotland. They were originally bred for hunting deer. The breed's name "Scottish Deerhound" comes from its origins in Scotland and its purpose as a hunting dog for deer. The breed was first recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1886. It is also recognized by other kennel clubs and organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They are known for their gentle, friendly and dignified personalities. They make great family pets, but they require regular exercise and consistent training.

Breed Information


Type

Is Scottish Deerhound a purebred?

Purebred

Pronunciation

How do you pronounce the Scottish Deerhound name? How do you say Scottish Deerhounds?

SKAH-tish DEER-hound

Purpose

What were Scottish Deerhounds originally used for?

coursing stag

Lifespan

How Long Do Scottish Deerhounds Live? What is average life expectancy for a Scottish Deerhound? How long can Scottish Deerhounds live?

8-10 years

The average Scottish Deerhound lifespan is somewhere between 8-10 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Scottish Deerhound Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Scottish Deerhound?

What is the average height of a Scottish Deerhound? How big is a Purebred Scottish Deerhound height? Scottish Deerhound dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 30-32 inches (76.2 - 81.3 cm) 22.5 inches (57.2 cm) 27.5 inches (69.9 cm) 31.0 inches (78.7 cm)
Female 26-28 inches (66 - 71.1 cm) 21.0 inches (53.3 cm) 25.0 inches (63.5 cm) 27.0 inches (68.6 cm)
What is the average weight of a Scottish Deerhound? How much should Scottish Deerhounds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 85-110 pounds (39 - 50 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg) 65.0 pounds (29 kg) 92.5 pounds (42 kg)
Female 75-95 pounds (34 - 43 kg) 37.5 pounds (17 kg) 60.0 pounds (27 kg) 80.0 pounds (36 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Scottish Deerhounds get fat easily?

The Scottish Deerhound is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

Hypoallergenic

Are Scottish Deerhounds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Scottish Deerhound is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Scottish Deerhound personality? What are Scottish Deerhound dogs best known for?

Dignified
Friendly
Polite
Docile
Gentle
Still

Shedding Level

Are Scottish Deerhounds heavy shedders? How Much Does a Scottish Deerhound Shed?

Scottish Deerhound dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Scottish Deerhound. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Scottish Deerhound dog?

The Scottish Deerhound breed is one of the worst choice if you want a good watchdog.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Scottish Deerhounds come from?

Scotland

Ancestry

What are Scottish Deerhounds descended from?

sighthound, greyhound

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Scottish Deerhound breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club

Date of Birth

When were Scottish Deerhounds first bred? How old is the Scottish Deerhound breed?

middle ages

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Scottish Deerhound?

Hound (AKC:1886)
Sighthounds & Pariahs (UKC)

Scottish Deerhound Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Scottish Deerhound eyes?

Hazel
Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Scottish Deerhound nose be naturally?

Blue
Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Scottish Deerhound coat be naturally?

Fawn
Brindle
Red
Blue
Gray

Coat Length

How long is a Scottish Deerhounds coat?

The coat of a Scottish Deerhound falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Scottish Deerhound Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Scottish Deerhound?

Wiry

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Scottish Deerhound have in a litter? How many puppies can a Scottish Deerhound have in her first litter?

8-10 puppies per pregnancy

A Scottish Deerhound can have a litter of 8-10 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Scottish Deerhound dogs generally adapt well to changes in lifestyle and different living environments, but it is considered as an average level of adaptability compared to other breeds.

Scottish Deerhound Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Scottish Deerhounds have a lot of health problems?

The Scottish Deerhound is a very healthy breed, with little need for frequent vet visits. However, it's important to keep an eye on their health and have them checked by a veterinarian when needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Scottish Deerhound?

Gastric Torsion
Osteosarcoma
Anesthesia Sensitivity/Allergy

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Scottish Deerhounds?

Cardiomyopathy
Allergies

Occasional Diagnoses

Hypothyroidism

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Scottish Deerhound breed?

Cardiac
Blood Test
X-Rays
Physical Examination
Allergy Tests

Scottish Deerhound Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Scottish Deerhounds have a lot of energy?

Scottish Deerhounds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Scottish Deerhounds need socialization? How social are Scottish Deerhounds?

Scottish Deerhound have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Scottish Deerhounds get?

The Scottish Deerhound dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Scottish Deerhound have? Do Scottish Deerhounds sleep a lot?

Scottish Deerhounds are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Scottish Deerhound drool a lot?

The Scottish Deerhound is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Scottish Deerhounds are known to bark very little or not at all. They tend to be very quiet and do not bark excessively. They may only bark in specific situations, such as when they need to alert their owner to something important or when they are in distress.

Territorial

Do Scottish Deerhounds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Scottish Deerhound dogs are not known for their protective nature and may not be the best choice as guard dogs. They do not have a strong drive to defend their territory and may not be inclined to provide protection.

Mouthiness

Are Scottish Deerhounds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Scottish Deerhound running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Scottish Deerhound dogs have a high prey drive?

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Scottish Deerhound? How much energy does a Scottish Deerhound have?

Medium

Scottish Deerhounds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Scottish Deerhound walk each week? How many miles should a Scottish Deerhound walk every week?

9 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Scottish Deerhound, it's at least 9 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Scottish Deerhound should exercise a day? How much activity does a Scottish Deerhound need?

60 minutes

In general most Scottish Deerhounds usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Scottish Deerhound?

The Scottish Deerhound is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Scottish Deerhound?

Weekly

Scottish Deerhound should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Scottish Deerhounds?

Comb
Deshedder
Scissors
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Scottish Deerhound eat?

3.8 cups

For an average 85-110 pound (39 - 50 kg) Scottish Deerhound feed 3.8 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Scottish Deerhound Cost Daily?

$3.90 - $4.20 / day

The average cost of a Scottish Deerhound is somewhere $3.90 - $4.20 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Scottish Deerhound Cost Per Month?

$112 - $126 / month

The average per month expenses of a Scottish Deerhound is between $112 - $126. This makes an average of $1344 - $1512 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Scottish Deerhound Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Scottish Deerhound?

Scottish Deerhounds has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Scottish Deerhound is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Scottish Deerhound dog?

Scottish Deerhound dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Scottish Deerhound dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Scottish Deerhound do well in apartments? Are Scottish Deerhounds good indoor dogs?

Scottish Deerhounds are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Scottish Deerhounds good with kids? Are Scottish Deerhounds good around children?

A Scottish Deerhounds typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans

Senior-friendly

Are Scottish Deerhounds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Scottish Deerhounds good with cats? How friendly Scottish Deerhounds are toward cats?

Scottish Deerhounds are below average friendly toward cats. But with the right training and socialization, Scottish Deerhounds can be good with cats,

Dog Friendly

Do Scottish Deerhound dogs get along with other dogs? Are Scottish Deerhounds OK with other dogs?

Scottish Deerhounds are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Scottish Deerhound dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Scottish Deerhounds friendly with strangers?

Scottish Deerhounds are very friendly around strangers.

Playfulness

Do Scottish Deerhounds like to play? Are Scottish Deerhounds playful?

Scottish Deerhounds have an average level of playfulness. The Scottish Deerhounds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Scottish Deerhound easily trained?

Scottish Deerhound dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Affectionate and loyal to their family
    Scottish Deerhound are known for being affectionate and loyal to their family.
  • Office Friendly
    Scottish Deerhounds make great office companions
  • Gentle and good with children
    They have a gentle nature and are good with children.
  • Quiet
    The Scottish Deerhound dog is known for being relatively silent, making it a good option if you're looking for a quieter dog.
  • Apartment Friendly
    Scottish Deerhound are well-suited for apartment living.
  • Good with other pets
    They have a good temperament and get along well with other pets.

Cons

  • Tendency to gain weight
    Failing to monitor a Scottish Deerhound's weight can lead to unwanted weight gain.
  • Not cat-friendly
    Cats and Scottish Deerhounds are not a good mix.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    If you have allergies, you may want to avoid Scottish Deerhounds, as they have been known to cause allergic reactions.
  • Large size
    Scottish Deerhound is a large breed which requires a lot of space.
  • High energy levels
    They require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.