Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a dignified, rough-coated sighthound with a calm, courteous presence indoors and an impressive stride outdoors.
If you enjoy quiet companionship at home and can provide safe space for running, this breed often rewards you with gentle loyalty and easygoing charm.
How the Scottish Deerhound ranks among other dog breeds.
About the Scottish Deerhound
Originally bred to course deer across the Scottish Highlands, the Scottish Deerhound combines grace with surprising power. Many are affectionate with their people, polite with visitors, and content to lounge when their exercise needs are met.
Their sensitivity and size call for kind handling and thoughtful training from the start.
Deerhounds typically thrive in homes that offer room to stretch out, steady routines, and time for relaxed walks plus occasional fast sprints in a secure area. They are not usually intense barkers, but they may chase wildlife or small pets if given the chance.
For the right household, they can be a peaceful, devoted companion that fits beautifully into daily life.
History of the Scottish Deerhound
Long before modern dog shows and pet culture, Scottish hunters relied on swift hounds that could spot and pursue game by sight. The Scottish Deerhound developed in the rugged Highlands, where red deer were prized quarry and the terrain demanded stamina as well as speed.
A rough, wiry coat helped protect the dog during long days in wind and rain. Over time, these deer-coursing hounds became closely associated with the landed families and clans who managed large estates.
In traditional deer hunting, a deerhound was expected to run down a deer over open ground, then hold it at bay until the hunter arrived.
This work shaped the breed’s athletic outline, deep chest, and long stride, along with a thoughtful temperament that could switch from explosive motion to steady control.
The dogs were often kept in small numbers, valued more as working partners than as common farm dogs. Stories of deerhounds appear in Highland culture, where they were admired for nobility and quiet bravery.
As hunting practices changed, the deerhound’s role shifted. Firearms, fencing, and new land use patterns reduced the need for open coursing, and fewer estates maintained large packs of specialized hounds.
The upheavals that affected Highland life also meant fewer kennels could sustain such large dogs. By the time the breed became known outside Scotland, deerhounds were relatively rare, often concentrated in a handful of lines maintained by dedicated owners.
In the nineteenth century, interest in Scottish history and country sports grew, and the deerhound gained attention as a distinctive symbol of the Highlands.
Some enthusiasts began documenting pedigrees and breeding with an eye toward consistent type, while still valuing the qualities needed for field work.
Deerhounds spread to other parts of the United Kingdom and later to North America, where they were kept both as companions and as sporting dogs for activities that mirrored coursing. Even in new settings, the breed generally retained its reserved, gentle manners.
Today, the Scottish Deerhound is best known as a calm household companion with a strong instinct to run and chase. Many owners channel that drive through fenced play, lure-style games, and long walks that allow plenty of sniffing and exploration.
The breed’s history still shows in its independent streak and its preference for quiet confidence over flashy obedience.
While deerhounds remain uncommon compared with other large breeds, their fans tend to be deeply committed to preserving the breed’s graceful build, soft temperament, and working heritage.
Physical Characteristics and General Care
Scottish Deerhounds are large, leggy sighthounds with a lean, athletic build designed for speed and endurance. They tend to have a deep chest, long tail, and a springy stride that looks effortless when they move.
Their rough, wiry coat and softer facial furnishings create a slightly shaggy outline, and coat colors are often muted and earthy. Because they are built to gallop, they can be surprisingly quick even if they seem sleepy at home.
A supportive bed and enough room to turn and stretch help them stay comfortable day to day.
Coat care is usually straightforward but consistent. A quick brush and comb several times a week helps remove dead hair, prevents tangles in the feathering, and keeps dirt from lingering after outdoor time.
Many deerhounds benefit from occasional hand-stripping or light trimming to maintain coat texture and a tidy look, while frequent heavy clipping can soften the coat.
Baths are typically occasional, with spot cleaning in between, since the coat can stay fresher when it is not overwashed. Nails, ears, and teeth still need routine attention, and starting gentle handling early makes those tasks easier.
Exercise needs are moderate for such a big dog, but they are specific: deerhounds love a safe place to open up into a run, paired with daily walks that keep joints and muscles in good shape.
Mental enrichment matters too, and many enjoy scent games, food puzzles, and calm outings that let them observe the world. On leash, a sturdy harness or well-fitted collar and calm training can help manage sudden bursts of interest in squirrels or rabbits.
Like many deep-chested, large breeds, they can be prone to certain health concerns, so it is wise to discuss diet, activity, and routine screening with your veterinarian. Keeping a deerhound lean and building fitness gradually can support long-term soundness.
Coat & Grooming: Brush and comb several times a week, use a slicker and metal comb for feathering, and plan occasional hand-stripping or tidy trims to keep the coat looking crisp.
Shedding: Moderate shedding, with coarse hairs that can show on floors and furniture; regular brushing helps keep it manageable, especially during seasonal coat changes.
Exercise Needs: Daily walks plus chances to sprint in a securely fenced area, along with lure-style play or scent games for variety.
General Health: Often hardy, but large, deep-chested dogs may be prone to bloat risk and some lines may see heart, bone, or thyroid issues; routine veterinary checkups and thoughtful conditioning are important.
Expected Lifespan: Typically shorter-lived than smaller breeds, yet many enjoy a comfortable senior stage when kept lean, active, and monitored by a veterinarian.
First-Time Owner Tips
First-time owners are often drawn to the deerhound’s calm nature at home, but it helps to plan for the practical realities of a very large, athletic dog.
Puppyhood and adolescence can be clumsy and enthusiastic, so early training for polite greetings, leash manners, and settling on a mat pays off.
Because deerhounds tend to be sensitive, they usually do best with reward-based methods, a steady tone, and short sessions that end on success.
Expect a strong chase instinct, and build management habits that set your dog up to make good choices. A secure fence, a reliable leash setup, and structured opportunities to run safely matter more than trying to convince a deerhound that squirrels are irrelevant.
Socialize thoughtfully with people, friendly dogs, and everyday sounds so your dog grows into the breed’s trademark composure. If you travel often, remember that big dogs need larger crates, beds, and vehicles, which can influence your day-to-day logistics and budget.
- Prioritize a securely fenced area or access to a safe enclosed field so your deerhound can run without risk.
- Teach calm greetings early; a gentle giant can still knock someone over by accident.
- Use a long line for practice outside, since recall can be challenging when something exciting moves.
- Keep training upbeat and brief, and mix in games like hand-targeting or scent searches to hold interest.
- Choose durable, appropriately sized gear and a supportive bed, then make settle time part of the daily routine.
Monthly Costs to Expect
Required monthly costs for a Scottish Deerhound usually center on feeding a large, active body and maintaining routine care. Plan on a quality diet sized for a giant breed appetite, plus treats that fit your training style.
Ongoing basics often include parasite prevention and budgeting for regular wellness visits, along with everyday supplies such as waste bags, shampoo, and periodic replacement of leashes, collars, and chew items.
Optional and variable expenses depend on how hands-on you are and what support you prefer. Many owners handle brushing at home and only pay for occasional professional grooming or a tidy-up, while others schedule regular appointments.
Training can range from a group class to private help for leash skills, and enrichment costs vary with toys, puzzles, and safe run spaces. Some people choose pet insurance, while others set aside a monthly savings cushion for unexpected bills.
Location, food quality, and your dog’s individual needs can shift the monthly total significantly.
Food & Treats: Required: $90 to $220 per month, depending on food quality, your dog’s appetite and activity level, and how many treats or toppers you use.
Grooming: Optional/Variable: $0 to $90 per month, based on DIY brushing and occasional trimming versus regular professional grooming or coat hand-stripping.
Preventatives & Routine Care: Required: $30 to $90 per month, influenced by product choice, local parasite pressure, and how you budget routine wellness care.
Insurance / Savings: Optional/Variable: $25 to $120 per month, varying by coverage level, deductible, age, and whether you use insurance or a dedicated savings fund.
Training / Enrichment: Optional/Variable: $15 to $150 per month, depending on group classes, private sessions, and ongoing enrichment toys or puzzles.
Scottish Deerhound FAQs
Is the Scottish Deerhound a good choice for families?
Often, yes. They tend to be gentle and affectionate, especially with respectful children, but their size and sudden zoomies mean supervision and teaching kids calm interaction are important.
Can a Scottish Deerhound live in an apartment?
Many can be calm indoors, but they still need daily walks and regular chances to run safely. Apartment living is easiest when you have reliable access to a secure enclosed area and can manage stairs, elevators, and space for a large dog bed.
Do Scottish Deerhounds shed a lot?
Shedding is usually moderate, with coarse hairs that can collect on fabric and in corners. Frequent brushing and a quick wipe-down after muddy outings go a long way.
How much exercise does a Scottish Deerhound need?
They typically enjoy relaxed walks each day plus occasional fast sprints in a fenced area. Many also love lure-style games and sniffing activities that keep the mind busy.
Are Scottish Deerhounds easy to train?
They are often willing, but not usually repetitive-drill dogs. Gentle, reward-based training, clear routines, and short sessions tend to work better than pressure or harsh corrections.
Is off-leash time safe for a Scottish Deerhound?
It depends on the individual and the environment, but a strong chase instinct is common. Most owners rely on secure fencing and long-line practice rather than expecting perfect recall around wildlife.
How do Scottish Deerhounds handle hot or cold weather?
Their coat can make cool weather comfortable, but they can overheat in warm conditions. Provide shade and water, avoid hard exercise in heat, and use a coat in cold rain if your dog seems uncomfortable.
