Scottish Deerhound
Also known as Deerhound, Lévrier écossais
- Height at the withers
- 71 to 81 cm
- Weight
- 34 to 50 kg
- Life expectancy
- 8 to 11 years
- Daily activity
- 60 minutes
- Origin
- Scotland
- FCI group
- 10 · Sighthounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a home with cats
- off-leash walks: strong prey drive and unreliable recall
Overview
A large, athletic sighthound with a harsh, wiry coat and a dignified bearing, often called the “Royal Dog of Scotland,” bred to hunt the great red deer of the Scottish Highlands.
History and origins
An ancient sighthound breed developed in the Scottish Highlands to hunt wild red deer. Once so prized that only the nobility could own one, it nearly died out with the decline of the clan system but was saved by devoted enthusiasts.
Health
Life expectancy is 8 to 11 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Osteosarcoma
- Portosystemic shunt
- Cystinuria and sensitivity to anesthesia
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, wiry coat. Low shedding, low coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Average, 3 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Possible, 3 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very quiet, 1 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Rather fragile, 2 out of 5
In our lists
Scottish Deerhound FAQ
How big does the Scottish Deerhound get?
The Scottish Deerhound stands 71 to 81 cm at the withers and weighs 34 to 50 kg. It is a giant dog.
Does the Scottish Deerhound shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs little care.
Can the Scottish Deerhound live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Scottish Deerhound need each day?
Allow about 60 minutes of activity a day: its energy is moderate.
Is the Scottish Deerhound good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Scottish Deerhound live?
Life expectancy is 8 to 11 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The main health problems to watch for are gastric dilatation-volvulus and dilated cardiomyopathy.
