Scottish Deerhound Breed Guide
Quick Summary
The Scottish Deerhound is an ancient, aristocratic sighthound combining a gentle, quiet indoor presence with immense athletic power outdoors. While incredibly affectionate and polite at home, they require secure acreage to sprint and possess an intense prey drive that makes off-leash roaming in open areas dangerous. They are best suited for owners with large yards and the financial stability to handle the unique medical needs of a giant, deep-chested breed.
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Quick Facts
- origin countryScotland
- breed groupSighthound (AKC Hound Group)
- sizeGiant
- weight range85 to 110 pounds (males), 75 to 95 pounds (females)
- height range30 to 32 inches (males), 28 inches and up (females)
- lifespan8 to 11 years
- coat typeHarsh, wiry, shaggy, and weather-resistant
- common colorsDark blue-gray, light gray, brindle, yellow, sandy red, or red fawn with black points
- other namesDeerhound
- recognized byAKC, UKC, KC, FCI
Caring for a Scottish Deerhound
Living with a Scottish Deerhound means accommodating a ‘couch potato’ that transforms into a lightning-fast athlete the moment they step outside. In my clinic, I emphasize that these dogs need a safe, securely fenced area (at least 5 to 6 feet high) to gallop at full speed several times a week. Indoors, they require oversized, supportive orthopedic bedding to prevent painful bursas and hygromas on their bony joints. Because of their deep chests, owners must strictly manage exercise times around meals to prevent life-threatening bloat.
Is a Scottish Deerhound a good family pet?
Yes, they make exceptionally gentle and sweet-tempered family pets, showing quiet devotion to their humans. However, their sheer size can easily knock over toddlers, so supervision and space are necessary.
Do Scottish Deerhounds shed a lot?
They shed moderately year-round, but their crisp, wiry coat doesn’t shed in the massive ‘blowouts’ seen in double-coated breeds. Weekly brushing keeps loose hair to a minimum.
Is a Scottish Deerhound good for first-time owners?
Generally, no. Their giant size, high prey drive, sensitivity to anesthesia, and susceptibility to bloat require an experienced owner who understands the physical and medical nuances of giant sighthounds.
Temperament & Personality
In my practice, I find Scottish Deerhounds to be among the most dignified and polite of all giant breeds. They are deeply affectionate but never demanding or clingy, possessing an independent sighthound streak that can sometimes look like aloofness. They are incredibly sensitive to household tension and harsh training methods, thriving best in calm, predictable environments. Outside, however, their predatory instincts kick in instantly if they spot a fleeing animal, shifting their demeanor from peaceful to laser-focused.
Is a Scottish Deerhound good with other pets?
While they generally coexist peacefully with other large dogs, their high sighthound prey drive makes them highly dangerous to cats, rabbits, and small dogs, especially outdoors.
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How much attention does a Scottish Deerhound need?
They crave human companionship and prefer to be in the same room as you, but they are not demanding attention-seekers. They are content just to quietly observe the family.
Training & Behavior
Training a Scottish Deerhound requires patience and positive reinforcement, as they are sensitive souls who shut down completely under harsh correction. They are moderately trainable but possess a typical sighthound independence; they will obey a command if they see the point, but they are not eager-to-please like Labradors. Recall is notoriously difficult to train reliably due to their hardwired instinct to chase moving objects.
Training Tips
- Use high-value food rewards and keep training sessions short (5-10 minutes) and engaging.
- Never yell or use physical corrections, as this breed will withdraw and refuse to work.
- Focus heavily on socialization between 8 and 16 weeks to prevent adolescent timidity.
- Accept that a reliable off-leash recall is highly unlikely in unfenced public areas.
Fun Activities
- Lure coursing
- Amateur racing (LGRA/NOTRA)
- AKC Temperament Testing (ATT)
- Agility (tailored for giant breeds)
Is a Scottish Deerhound easy to train?
They are intelligent but independent, meaning they learn commands easily but may choose when to execute them. They are not recommended for competitive obedience but excel in sighthound-specific sports.
Scottish Deerhound Health Issues
As a vet, I urge prospective Deerhound owners to recognize that this giant breed has a short lifespan and is genetically predisposed to several serious health conditions. Working with a breeder who performs comprehensive cardiac and genetic screenings is non-negotiable for this breed.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat)
A life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists on its axis, cutting off blood supply. This is a primary cause of emergency vet visits and mortality in Deerhounds.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
A progressive heart muscle disease where the heart becomes enlarged and weak, eventually leading to congestive heart failure.
Anesthesia Sensitivity
Like most sighthounds, Deerhounds metabolize anesthetic drugs much slower than other breeds due to low body fat and unique liver enzyme pathways.
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Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
An aggressive, highly malignant bone cancer that primarily affects the limbs of giant-breed dogs.
Cystinuria
A genetic metabolic defect where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, leading to painful bladder or kidney stone formation.
Factor VII Deficiency
A mild to moderate inherited bleeding disorder that can cause excessive bleeding after trauma or surgery.
How long do Scottish Deerhounds typically live?
On average, they live 8 to 11 years. Achieving the double-digit mark requires vigilant preventative veterinary care, healthy weight management, and cardiac screenings.
What to Feed a Scottish Deerhound
Feeding a Scottish Deerhound requires strict portion control and timing to minimize the risk of bloat. Because they grow rapidly from cute puppies to massive, leggy adolescents, their calcium and phosphorus ratios must be meticulously balanced during their first 18 months.
Best Diet
I highly recommend a high-quality, large-breed or giant-breed specific formula, either kibble or wet, that is formulated to support controlled growth rates in puppies and joint health in adults.
How to Feed
Split their daily food intake into at least two, preferably three, smaller meals. Never feed them from elevated bowls (which studies show can increase bloat risk) and enforce a strict resting period of 1 hour before and 2 hours after meals.
How Much to Feed
Adult males typically require 4 to 6 cups of high-quality food daily, while females need 3 to 5 cups, though exact amounts should be calculated based on body condition scores and veterinary advice.
Nutritional Tips
Consider supplementing their diet with omega-3 fatty acids (like wild-caught salmon oil) to support their large joints and keep their coarse, shaggy coat healthy.
Scottish Deerhound Grooming Guide
The Scottish Deerhound’s crisp, shaggy coat is remarkably low-maintenance and designed by nature to resist dirt and harsh weather. However, regular maintenance is still needed to prevent matting and manage shedding.
Coat Care
Brush the coat thoroughly once or twice a week with a slicker brush and a steel comb to remove loose undercoat and prevent mats. They only need baths every few months, as their wiry hair naturally repels dirt.
Skin Care
Inspect their skin weekly, paying close attention to their elbows and hocks, which are prone to calluses and pressure sores (hygromas) from lying on hard surfaces.
Eye Care
Keep the hair around their eyes trimmed if it begins to cause irritation or collect debris, but otherwise, they have very few eye-related issues.
Ear Care
Clean their ears every 2-3 weeks with a vet-approved ear flush to remove dirt and wax buildup, especially after they have been running through brush.
Nail & Dental Care
Trim their strong, fast-growing nails every 2 weeks using a heavy-duty nail grinder or clipper, and brush their teeth daily to prevent periodontal disease.
Considerations for Pet Parents
Pros
- Incredibly gentle, calm, and quiet household companion
- Infrequent barker, making them highly polite neighbors
- Naturally clean and low-odor, shaggy coat
- Generally friendly and non-aggressive toward strangers
- Great fit for cooler climates due to their insulated coat
- Affectionate and deeply loyal to their family members
Cons
- Extremely high prey drive; cannot coexist safely with small animals
- Prone to life-threatening bloat (GDV) and heart diseases
- Requires a large, securely fenced yard to run safely
- Sensitive to anesthesia and many standard veterinary drugs
- Shorter lifespan typical of giant breeds
Best For
Active families or individuals living in rural or suburban areas with a securely fenced, large yard who want a quiet, polite, giant companion and can afford the premium care and medical costs associated with sighthounds.
Not Recommended For
Apartment dwellers, owners of small pets (cats, small dogs, rabbits), those who want an off-leash hiking companion, or those who cannot commit to the intensive medical and preventative care required for giant breeds.
Cost
- purchase price$2,000 to $3,500 USD
- monthly cost$250 to $400 USD
- initial setupInitial veterinary workups, giant-sized crates, orthopedic beds, and preventative gastropexy surgery (to prevent stomach twisting during bloat) can easily cost $2,000 to $4,500 in the first year.
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Scottish Deerhound FAQs
What is the difference between an Irish Wolfhound and a Scottish Deerhound?
While they look similar, Irish Wolfhounds are much heavier, more muscular, and taller, whereas Deerhounds are lighter, more elegant, and built for speed and agility, much like a larger, shaggier Greyhound.
Are Scottish Deerhounds good apartment dogs?
Generally, no. Although they are quiet couch potatoes indoors, their giant size and absolute requirement for high-speed sprinting in a secure yard make apartment living highly impractical and stressful for them.
Should I get a gastropexy for my Scottish Deerhound?
As a vet, I highly recommend discussing a prophylactic (preventative) gastropexy with your surgeon. This procedure tacks the stomach to the abdominal wall, preventing it from twisting if the dog ever experiences bloat.
Can Scottish Deerhounds live in hot climates?
They can adapt, but they do not tolerate extreme heat well due to their heavy, shaggy coats. During hot summer months, keep them in air-conditioned spaces and only exercise them during the cool early mornings or late evenings.
Are they prone to separation anxiety?
Yes, because they form deep bonds with their human family, they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They thrive best in homes where someone is present most of the day.
Is it true they are sensitive to anesthesia?
Absolutely. Sighthounds have low body fat and unique liver metabolisms that slow the clearance of standard anesthetic drugs. Always ensure your vet is familiar with sighthound-safe anesthetic protocols.
Do Scottish Deerhounds bark a lot?
No, they are remarkably quiet dogs. They rarely bark unless they are alerting you to something highly unusual, making them terrible watchdogs but very peaceful housemates.
Can a Scottish Deerhound be trusted off-leash?
No. Because they are sighthounds, their instinct to chase running prey is hardwired and instantaneous. Once they run, they can reach speeds of 30-35 mph in seconds, ignoring all commands.
Are they easy to housebreak?
They are generally clean dogs and can be housetrained easily with a consistent routine. However, like many giant breeds, their bladder control takes longer to fully mature, requiring patience up to 6 months of age.
What kind of collar does a Scottish Deerhound need?
They should wear a Martingale collar (or a wide sighthound collar). Because their necks are often wider than their narrow heads, standard buckle collars can easily slip off if the dog backs up or pulls.
How fast do they grow?
They grow incredibly fast, reaching most of their height by 12 to 18 months, though they will continue to ‘fill out’ and gain muscle mass until they are 3 years old.
Do they get along with other dogs?
Yes, they are generally highly sociable and polite with other medium-to-large dogs. However, their chasing instinct can be triggered by small, running dogs, so caution is advised in dog parks.
Is osteosarcoma common in this breed?
Unfortunately, yes. Like many giant breeds, osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is a significant concern. Any sudden or persistent lameness should be evaluated by a veterinarian with X-rays immediately.
Do they smell like dog?
No, their harsh, wiry coat naturally repels dirt and moisture, meaning they have very little of the typical ‘doggy odor’ associated with oilier, double-coated breeds.
Sources & Further Reading
- American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
- PetMD