Alternate Names
Deerhound
Irish Wolf Dog
Highland Deerhound
Rough Greyhound
Scotch Greyhound
The Royal Dog of Scottland.
Appearance:
Body: Powerful and graceful with well laid back shoulders, deep, flat chest, hips wide apart, arched loin, and well-muscled hindquarters.
Coat: Thick, shaggy, harsh, wiry, and weather resistant.
Color: Dark blue-gray, light blue-gray, brindle, yellow red, sandy red, fawn.
Ears: Small, high set, black or dark, folded back.
Eyes: Dark brown, brown or hazel, with black rims.
Feet: Compact and tight with well-knuckled toes and strong nails.
Head: Skull is broad, flat, and tapering towards the eyes with a pointed muzzle, no stop, and a black or blue aquiline nose.
Neck: Long, strong, well-developed, and well-sloped.
Legs: Forelegs are straight, well-balanced and flat. Hindquarters are well-muscled with long, flat legs, and broad hocks.
Size:
Height is 28 – 32 inches
Weight is 75 – 110 pounds
Tail: Long, thick and tapered. Carried straight or curved.
Behavior
Recommended for experience dog handlers.
Not a watchdog.
Not suited for urban living.
Can be slow and difficult to housetrain.
The Scottish Deerhound won’t be interested in playing fetch and he won’t be eagerly keeping watch over the family or property. He is a gentle, docile dog when in the home and highly energetic and ready to run when outside. This is a large dog, and a member of the Greyhound family, with tremendous speed who needs lots of open space to stretch his long legs.
AKC Standard says, “In character the Deerhound is quiet and dignified, keen and alert, and although not aggressive, has great persistence and indomitable courage when necessary.”
Being a sighthound he has strong instincts to chase anything moving that he perceives as prey, and he perceives everything as prey, including your own family pets. Keep him on a leash or in a securely enclosed area for his own safety and for the safety of any small animals unfortunate enough to come into his sight. With his long legs and exceptionally quick speed other animals have little, if any, chance of escape.
Early training is a must. The International Encyclopedia of Dogs recommends certain regimens of care to accommodate for their rapid rate of growth: At six weeks of age he should receive fifteen minutes of undivided attention each day, without the presence of his siblings, daily exercise and short daily walks, but somewhat restricted until his coordination is developed. At ten weeks housetraining, trips in the car, socializing, and grooming should begin.
Michele Welton, author of Your Purebred Puppy says, “Though mildly stubborn and independent, this is a sweet and sensitive dog who is willing to respond (albeit in a slow, casual way, as though humoring you) to cheerful training that includes consistent guidance, verbal praise, and food rewards.”
Breed Type
AKC Group: Hound Group (Sight Hound)
Used to chase deer to exhaustion until guns were more commonly used for the kill.
Care and Grooming
Exercise: Needs lots of room for vigorous daily runs at full-out speeds.
Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly.
Health
Life Expectancy: 11 – 12 Years
Possible problems:
Bloat
Bone Cancer
Heart disease
Country of Origin
Scotland