Deerhound

The Deerhound, a regal breed hailing from Scotland, is easily identified by its towering height and distinctive shaggy coat. Historically celebrated as the 'Royal Dog of Scotland', this sighthound was originally bred for its speed and stamina to hunt deer. Despite its impressive stature, the Deerhound is a gentle giant, known for its serene and noble demeanor, making it a devoted and loving family pet.

Once a hunter in the rugged Scottish Highlands, today's Deerhounds thrive as loyal companions for active owners who enjoy the outdoors and can accommodate their need for extensive exercise and space. Their large size and unique coat necessitate dedicated grooming, a spacious living area, and a lifestyle that includes daily energetic walks and opportunities for free running in secure environments.

Ideal for seasoned dog owners or those familiar with large sighthounds, Deerhounds possess a strong prey drive and require specific grooming and health care. They form strong attachments to their families, enjoy gentle interactions, and respond well to calm, positive training techniques. Their quiet and relaxed nature, combined with spurts of playful energy, makes them the perfect countryside companion.

Perfect For

Those with large, secure yards or rural access, fans of sighthound breeds such as the Greyhound or Irish Wolfhound seeking an active yet gentle family dog, experienced handlers capable of managing a large, powerful hound, and families desiring an affectionate, low-vocality breed with a calm indoor presence.

Key Considerations

Their considerable size leads to higher food and insurance expenses; early socialization and training are crucial to manage their prey instincts and ensure proper behavior. Deerhounds are sensitive to loud noises and harsh discipline, requiring a gentle approach. They are not suitable for city apartments or small homes without secure outdoor space and are not recommended for first-time dog owners due to their complex needs.

The Deerhound's lineage traces back to ancient sighthounds that hunted in northern Britain as early as the 3rd Century AD, with distinct mentions in the 15th Century linking them to breeds like the English Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, and unique Highland types identified as Deerhounds. These dogs were robust hunters, especially the Highland Deerhound with its heavier coat, bred to pursue red deer and assist hunters in Scotland.

Early Development

Originating from crossbreeding Rough Greyhounds, Scotch Greyhounds, Irish Greyhounds, and others, the breed split into Lowland (lighter coat) and Highland (taller, harsher coat) varieties by the 18th century. Their role adapted with the advent of firearms, shifting toward coursing and tracking wounded game. Deerhound numbers dwindled in the 19th century due to changes in hunting practices and estate divisions, nearly facing extinction during World War II because of resource shortages and culling.

Modern Recognition

Revival of the breed commenced in the mid-1830s through efforts by Archibald and Duncan McNeill, who infused Bloodhound and Borzoi bloodlines to enhance scenting ability and elegance. The Deerhound Club was established in 1886, with a breed standard formalized in 1892 and updated in 1948. Today, the Deerhound is recognized by The Kennel Club but remains on their vulnerable native breeds list due to its limited population, encouraging prospective owners to register interest with breeders.

Size and Build: Male Deerhounds typically stand around 30-31 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing approximately 100 pounds, while females measure about 28 inches and weigh around 80 pounds. These dogs are large and graceful, with a robust bone structure and muscular build reminiscent of an oversized Greyhound, balanced yet powerful with a deep chest and well-arched loins.

Coat and Colors: Their coat is rough, wiry, and shaggy, lying close yet appearing ragged. The hair on the body, neck, and quarters is wiry and crisp, while the head, chest, and belly have softer hair. Acceptable colors include Black & Grey, Blue Brindle, Blue Grey, Brindle, Dark Brindle, Dark Grey, Grey, and Grey Brindle. Regular grooming is essential to maintain the coat's unique texture.

Distinctive Features: The Deerhound's head is long and somewhat flat on top, broad at the ears, with a tapering muzzle and slightly aquiline nose. Ears are high-set, folding back when relaxed, raised but folded when alert, covered in glossy dark or black hair. Their eyes are large, full, and dark hazel or brown, exuding a soft, gentle expression when relaxed and keen alertness when attentive. The tail is long, thick at the base, tapering to the tip, carried low or curved higher when moving.

Gender Differences: Males are generally larger and heavier, reflecting their protective and sometimes more dominant temperament. Females are slightly smaller but equally elegant. Both genders exhibit the breed's characteristic calm and gentle nature. Faults include woolly coats or exaggerations that impair function or health, according to Kennel Club breed standards.

Known as a ‘gentle giant’, the Deerhound is characterized by its calm, dignified, and affectionate nature in family settings. Despite their large size, they are surprisingly quiet and rarely bark, displaying a friendly but slightly reserved demeanor with strangers. Their inherent sensitivity makes harsh training methods ineffective; they thrive under patient, gentle guidance with positive reinforcement.

Deerhounds are excellent with children, showing remarkable patience and a natural affinity, though their youthful clumsiness necessitates supervision to avoid accidental bumps. Their sighthound heritage brings a strong prey drive, requiring careful management and secure environments, especially around livestock or smaller pets.

Generally low-energy indoors, Deerhounds enjoy bursts of playful activity followed by restful naps, making them well-suited to homes that provide both exercise and quiet downtime. While not typical watchdogs, they alert their owners to visitors with a unique vocalization instead of habitual barking, maintaining a peaceful household atmosphere.

Core Personality Traits

Gentle, loyal, intelligent, sensitive, and dignified, with a strong instinct to bond closely with family members. Easily startled by loud noises and sudden changes, they thrive in calm environments.

Social Behavior

Generally friendly with other dogs and family pets, though due to their hunting background, smaller animals require cautious introduction. They are selectively sociable, preferring familiar faces over strangers.

Working Instincts

Deerhounds showcase their coursing heritage with a swift chase instinct, quick to react to movement, and a natural athleticism. They enjoy activities like lure coursing, expressing their predatory drive in controlled settings.

Common Behavioral Challenges

Challenges include managing their prey drive to prevent chasing, sensitivity to noise potentially causing stress, and occasional stubbornness during training, all of which can be mitigated with early socialization and consistent, gentle training practices.

With a keen intelligence and eagerness to please, Deerhounds generally respond well to training when approached with understanding and patience. Early socialization and consistency are vital to developing a well-adjusted adult dog, considering their naturally sensitive nature and potential stubbornness.

Puppy Training Priorities

The first six months are crucial for socializing the puppy to various environments, people, and other animals after completing vaccinations. Setting clear household rules and boundaries early helps prevent behavioral issues, along with gentle introduction to basic commands like come, sit, stay, and heel.

Training Methods That Work

Positive reinforcement is essential; treats, praise, and play are far more effective with Deerhounds than harsh corrections, which can damage their trust. Short, engaging sessions help maintain their focus given their independent streak. Owners should foster a calm and fair environment to encourage obedience over time.

Advanced Training Potential

Deerhounds can excel in lure coursing, agility, and obedience competitions with the right foundation. Their natural coursing talent can be channeled into these activities to satisfy both mental and physical needs, promoting happiness and good health.

Common Training Mistakes

Owners often make the mistake of using heavy-handed methods or inconsistent commands, which can confuse or frighten a Deerhound. Allowing a lack of structure can lead to persistence of prey-driven behaviors and poor recall. Maintaining patience and a consistent routine avoids these pitfalls.

Despite their considerable size, Deerhounds are famed for their gentleness around children, embracing the role of a patient and protective family member. Their calm demeanor and affectionate nature make them suitable companions for children of all ages when supervised appropriately.

Age-Specific Interactions

Toddlers should always be closely supervised around Deerhounds due to the risk of being accidentally knocked over by their towering frames and youthful clumsiness. Older children can engage in more interactive play, learning to respect the dog's size and energy limits.

Teaching Children Proper Interaction

It's important to teach children safe and gentle ways to interact with Deerhounds, such as avoiding sudden movements and not pulling on their wiry coats or tails. Educating children to recognize the dog’s body language helps prevent misunderstandings and fosters mutual respect.

Breed-Specific Considerations

Given their hunting background, Deerhounds have a natural prey drive which means smaller pets may require introductions supervised for safety. Their energy levels vary; they enjoy playful bursts but also need downtime, so children should learn when the dog needs rest.

Creating Safe Environments

Secure, spacious outdoor areas allow Deerhounds to roam freely, reducing the chance of boisterous indoor behavior. Adult supervision during all child-dog interactions ensures safety and fosters positive relationships that last.

The lifespan of a Deerhound is typically around 8 to 9 years, which is shorter than many breeds due to their large size and specific health predispositions. With diligent care and screening, they remain relatively healthy but vigilance is essential for breed-specific concerns.

Breed-Specific Health Conditions

Significant health issues include a high risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), which is significantly more common in Deerhounds compared to other dogs, along with congenital conditions such as portosystemic shunt and Factor VII deficiency. Other concerns include Von Willebrand’s Disease type 1, craniomandibular osteopathy, heart issues, bloat (gastric torsion), and urolithiasis.

Genetic Testing Requirements

Breeders should screen puppies for portosystemic shunt and perform DNA tests on parent dogs to detect Factor VII deficiency, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and craniomandibular osteopathy. These tests are crucial in preventing hereditary conditions and preserving the breed’s genetic health.

Preventive Healthcare Schedule

Puppies receive initial vaccinations by breeders, with owners responsible for booster shots at around 10-12 weeks and following schedules advised by veterinarians. Spaying and neutering is typically recommended between 6 to 12 months depending on veterinary advice for optimal growth and health outcomes.

Insurance Considerations

Due to the breed’s size and associated health risks, insurance premiums tend to be higher. Coverage should consider potential bone cancer treatment and the risk of bloat, with policies tailored to include lifetime health cover where possible to manage ongoing veterinary costs.

Caring for a Deerhound involves a balanced daily routine combining diet, grooming, exercise, and health monitoring to support their wellbeing throughout life stages. Their large size and sighthound nature require a commitment to adequate space and specialized care.

Daily Care Routine

A typical day should start with a gentle morning walk, followed by feeding and rest. Afternoons should include more extended or stimulating exercise sessions, ideally in a secure yard or off-lead in safe areas, with time for social interaction and play. Evenings are best suited for calm companionship and grooming.

Living Environment Needs

Deerhounds thrive in homes with large, secure yards or rural properties. Their hunting background and prey drive necessitate fenced outdoor areas to prevent escapes. They are less suited to urban apartments or homes without outdoor access.

Seasonal Care Adjustments

During summer, water availability and shade are crucial to prevent overheating during exercise, while winter care involves protecting older dogs from cold with appropriate bedding and possibly coat covers. Coat maintenance needs adjust with seasonal shedding and grooming frequency.

Senior Care Adaptations

Older Deerhounds require tailored diets lower in fat and rich in easily digestible proteins. Gentle, shorter exercise routines help maintain mobility without overexertion, while joint supplements and comfortable bedding support aging joints and prevent arthritis. Regular health checks become increasingly important.

The Deerhound's rough, wiry coat demands consistent grooming to maintain its texture and health. Regular brushing, ideally several times a week, prevents mats and tangles, especially around the legs and under the collar where saliva and dirt accumulate.

Coat Maintenance Schedule

Daily brushing is beneficial but at minimum, a thorough weekly session is required. Hand-stripping of dead hair is recommended twice yearly to sustain the coat's characteristic harshness and prevent woolliness, a fault in the breed standard.

Professional Grooming Requirements

Scheduling professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks for hand stripping and trimming helps maintain coat quality and manage seasonal shedding. Expect costs of around $50-$90 per session depending on the salon and region.

Home Grooming Techniques

Owners should use slicker brushes and grooming gloves for comfort and efficiency, ensuring nails are trimmed, ears checked and cleaned regularly to prevent infections. Bathing should be occasional, using dog-specific shampoos that preserve skin oils.

Common Grooming Challenges

Mat formation behind ears and on legs, seasonal shedding variations, and sensitivity to cleaning products can pose challenges. Regular inspection and gentle handling during grooming help minimize stress and maintain good skin condition.

Deerhounds require substantial daily exercise to sustain their health and mental happiness. Ideally, they benefit from a minimum of 2 hours of activity daily, split between a shorter morning walk and a longer, more engaging afternoon session.

Daily Exercise Requirements

Activities should include long, brisk walks, running in safely enclosed yards, and opportunities for natural coursing instincts to be expressed under close supervision. Consistent exercise prevents obesity and promotes longevity.

Suitable Activities

Lure coursing is especially compatible with Deerhounds, harnessing their hunting heritage. Agility and obedience training also provide valuable mental stimulation and physical challenge.

Exercise Restrictions

Puppies and young Deerhounds must avoid excessive high-impact exercise to protect growing joints; jumping, stair climbing, and prolonged running should be limited. Exercise should avoid immediately before or after meals to reduce risk of bloat, a health concern associated with the breed.

Mental Stimulation Ideas

Puzzle toys, scent work, and training games are excellent options to engage the intelligent Deerhound’s mind. Structured play combined with socialization and obedience training fosters a balanced and contented canine.

Proper nutrition is vital to maintain a Deerhound's health, supporting their growth, metabolism, and energy requirements from puppyhood through to adulthood and senior years.

Nutritional Requirements

Young Deerhound puppies require a diet rich in high-quality protein and balanced fats, with digestible ingredients suitable for large breeds. Adult Deerhounds benefit from diets containing protein levels around 18-22% and fat around 12-15%, supporting upkeep of muscle bulk and coat condition.

Feeding Schedule Guidelines

Puppies should be fed 3-4 times daily in measured portions based on growth and weight, gradually transitioning to 2 meals per day upon maturity at around 24 months. Adults thrive on twice-daily feeding to minimize bloat risks.

Special Dietary Considerations

Due to bloat susceptibility, feeding should be slow and calm, with elevated feeding stations to reduce neck strain. Avoid exercise immediately before and after meals. Some Deerhounds may have food sensitivities requiring grain-free or limited ingredient diets.

Weight Management

Maintain an ideal body condition with regular weight monitoring and adjusting food intake accordingly to prevent obesity, which can exacerbate joint and heart conditions prevalent in the breed.

Acquiring a Scottish Deerhound for sale often requires joining a waiting list due to the breed's rarity and vulnerable status. Pedigree puppies generally cost between $1,000 and $2,500, depending on the breeder's reputation and lineage quality.

Initial setup expenses for a Deerhound are significant, given the need for large-scale feeding equipment, durable bedding, quality leads and collars, and grooming tools suited to their wiry coat. Expect initial supplies to amount to around $400 to $600.

Ongoing monthly expenses include premium high-protein dog food costing between $75 and $90, regular grooming supplies, and veterinary care including routine vaccinations and preventative treatments. Insurance premiums are notably higher for Deerhounds due to their size, with basic coverage averaging about $90 per month and lifetime policies exceeding $160 monthly depending on location and dog health.

Over a typical lifespan, prospective owners should budget for routine healthcare costs, periodic specialist treatments (noting the breed’s predisposition to conditions like bloat and osteosarcoma), and potential professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. Overall, annual maintenance can exceed $2,800, equating to about $200 to $300 monthly depending on the level of care and insurance.

Prospective Deerhound owners should be prepared for a thorough and responsible buying process to ensure the health and welfare of the puppy. You can find Scottish Deerhounds for sale through reputable breeders registered with The Kennel Club and endorsed by The Deerhound Club.

Finding Ethical Breeders

Seek breeders who provide full health screening results, maintain the breed standard coat and characteristics, and avoid overbreeding practices. Visiting the breeder to see puppies interacting with their dam in clean, safe environments is essential.

Health Testing Verification

Ensure puppies come with verified tests for portosystemic shunt, Factor VII deficiency, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and craniomandibular osteopathy, which should be documented and accessible for inspection.

Puppy Selection Process

Evaluate puppy temperament by observing interactions and responses in the litter, selecting balanced and confident individuals suited to your lifestyle. Check physical health, including clear eyes, clean ears, and a proper coat.

Contract and Guarantee Review

Obtain a detailed contract covering health guarantees, microchipping, vaccination history, and return options if the puppy develops health issues. Beware of red flags such as evasive sellers, unusually low prices, or pressure to pay before meeting.

Rescue and Adoption Options

Given the breed’s vulnerable status, consider adopting from specialist rescues or breed-specific rehoming organizations which can be located via The Deerhound Club or The Kennel Club.