Suppose you are considering getting a Scottish Deerhound as your companion and have many questions and queries. In that case, you are in the right place.
You will get all the information associated with Scottish Deerhound in this article, including its Breed information, history, temperament, health, grooming needs, and much more.
You will also find pictures of the Scottish Deerhound, which will help you better understand their appearance and physique.
[wpdatatable id=116 /]Breed Characteristics of Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhounds are among the most polite and loveable breeds of dogs you will come across. They are also known as the “Royal Dog of Scotland” By looking at them, it is very much understandable why they got this name.
At first look, the Scottish Deerhound seems similar to the Greyhound but bigger and more heavily boned with a rough coat.
New Deerhound owners should know they will witness chaos in their homes when these noble animals are in their youth owing to their nature to play and run, not to forget their size.
These giants and kind creatures love spending time with their owners and go for a long run.
They have athletic characteristics and like to play a lot. If you are considering getting one, please ensure you have 2 to 3 hours daily to meet their activity needs.
More About Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhound makes good family pet. They love people and enjoy playing and staying with their owners. However, it would help if you were alert and careful when they are near toddlers, as their large body size can trouble little kids.
History
Scottish Deerhounds are generally very good to kids who are kind to them. They are not responsive when treated like watchdogs, as their friendly characteristics are opposite to those of watchdogs.
The Scottish Deerhound is a native of Scotland and has been known to be there since the 16th century. Although many claims that they existed before the 16th century, around the 9th century, and were called different names like Irish wolf-dog, Scotch Greyhound, Rough Greyhound, and Highland Deerhound.
As their name reflects, they were bred to hunt down wild red deer in old age. They possess excellent hunting qualities with speed, top-class tracking, and odor detection.
The name “Royal Dog of Scotland” came to use as only people above the Earl ranking were allowed to own a Scottish Deerhound.
Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria owned these beautiful Scottish Deerhounds, and the rule that allowed only high-ranking officials to own these dogs impacted their existence.
As humans invented guns for hunting, the use of Scottish deerhounds fell dramatically, almost making them extinct.
In the 1800s, two brothers Archibald and Duncan McNeill, started a campaign to grow their numbers which proved helpful as the campaign benefited in increasing the numbers of Scottish Deerhounds in the region. But again, as the World War approached, the numbers started to fall.
Today, Scottish Deerhounds are said to be the rarest breeds available, and people who love hounds or sighthounds want to preserve their heritage. At the same time, people are learning that this breed can be an exceptional companion for a man.
Let us find out more interesting things about Scottish Deerhounds.
Size
A grown and adult Scottish Deerhound can be six feet tall on his hind legs and can load you with kisses.
A Scottish Deerhound size is 30 to 32 inches for a male and 28 inches and up for a female.
Males weigh 85 to 110 lbs, females 75 to 95 lbs.
Personality
Scottish Deerhound is mostly quiet, gentle, and kind. They are affectionate towards humans and need constant companionship. They do not like to be left alone in the house for hours.
When young, they are urged to constantly activity that never seems to end. As they grow, they get calm and adjust to their surroundings. They generally know their size and act carefully around smaller pets or kids.
Every dog has a different personality. Generally, it takes years for a Scottish deerhound to grow into a calm adult hound.
Temperament
They are mostly chill and in a relaxing mood at the house. They love their humans but are smart to know what is going on around them. They are eager for a long walk and can be very energetic throughout life.
They can not be treated like guard dogs or watchdogs as they easily become friends with strangers. They do not bark a lot when they are grown.
They are well-mannered and very sensitive. When young, they sometimes cause havoc, but nothing that a young puppy does.
Health
Scottish Deerhounds are generally a very healthy breed. Like humans, they can inherit a genetic disease. Knowing the history of a puppy or a dog before adoption is very important.
Scottish Deerhounds are prone to bloat. Feeding them 2 or 3 small meals a day rather than one big one is recommended.
This breed records higher rates of bone cancer when compared to other breeds. It is often fatal, but it may be treated when diagnosed early.
Cardiomyopathy is another disease a Scottish deerhound may be affected by. This type of heart disease can develop any day without prior genetical presence or symptoms.
An abnormal response can also be seen in Scottish deerhounds when they come in contact with some anesthetic drugs.
Most breeders do not provide full disclosure about the pet’s health. Deerhounds don’t necessarily get or won’t get any disease at all.
Their health depends on their surroundings and how they are cared for. Regular health check-ups are important for their well-being.
Care
Caring for these gentle giants is not an easy job. They are mostly relaxed in the house. They have high prey instincts and should be supervised around smaller pets.
When they are young, they should be taught to obey, learn to smell, and be taught cues. Never let them make a habit of jumping on people because when they are grown, they can be as heavy and tall as your shoulder, which won’t always be safe.
It is important to let puppy deerhounds move and walk as much as they want.
Keeping them in a confined space may damage their bone growth. Managing them when juveniles are very important, especially around the stairs and pools.
When grown, You need a big sofa and a big space in the car for their comfort.
You need a big lawn or field where they can move freely without a leash. Rest is all basic care.
Feeding
Providing Scottish Deerhounds two meals a day of three to four cups of dry food is recommended. They are prone to bloating. Hence food should be provided in intervals.
You should note that, like humans, dog food requirements also vary according to size, activity, and metabolism. Monitoring your dog’s weight and health may prevent them from obesity.
It would help if you always visited a veterinarian every once in a while to get your hound examined.
Coat Color And Grooming
Scottish Deerhound has a dark gray or bluish-gray coat. Their coat varies according to the region and climate.
They have a long, harsh coat which they use to protect themselves from the climatic conditions of the Scottish highlands.
They may seem hard to groom but are very easy if they are groomed twice weekly. There is a greyhound comb through which combing can be done gently, removing dead hairs and increasing circulation.
They may need bathing when very dusty. Otherwise, just simple grooming is fine, twice a year or, at maximum, thrice a year.
Dental hygiene is equally important. Use a vet-recommended toothpaste and brush regularly. Trimming nails is also important. When you hear the sound of scratches on your floor, it is time to trim Deerhound’s nails.
Introduce these grooming habits in your Scottish Deerhound’s life so they learn to adapt and be gentle and patient when groomed.
Children And Other Pets
Scottish Deerhound is very friendly, loves spending time with their owners, and can get along well with kids, but they must be trained to behave well with kids.
They should be introduced to kids and small animals or pets early in their grooming days. Never let them play together unsupervised. Teach your kids not to disturb when dogs are sleeping or try to take food away when the dog is eating.
Scottish Deerhounds are big dogs and can knock kids down even if they do not mean to. Training them early in life can make them adaptable to kids and pets.
FAQ’s
They like to relax and lie at home, but they are not good apartment dogs.
They need more open space and lawns to roam daily.
Yes, they are good with people and love children, even strangers. So you don’t have to worry about whether they can be a good dog for your family.
No, they aren’t aggressive. They love being around people and seldom bark.
Conclusion
If you have a lot of time, like going on a long walk or running a spacious home, and a lawn, then this gentle beast may be the perfect companion you can find.
You will love to see how smart and affectionate they get as time passes. People seldom say they even become humans at some point. If you come back from work and think of resting instead of taking your dog for a walk, this is not a dog for you.
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Hi, I’m Walter,
I live in Oklahoma City, USA, and have extensive dog caring and grooming expertise. In addition, I provide dog training tips and tricks through my blogs in Canine Weekly. I have a Dog Behavior and Training diploma and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and Tip Top K9 of OKC Dog Training.
Apart from writing on Canine Weekly, I share my views on Twitter and Linkedin.