Scottish Deerhound

Description

A slender, graceful build, finer than an Irish Wolfhound despite a comparable height — males reach 76-81 cm for 45-50 kg, females 71 cm for 36-43 kg. The rough, shaggy coat is its distinguishing mark: a double layer made up of a harsh outer coat 7 to 10 cm long and a dense undercoat, giving remarkable protection against Highland weather. Blue-gray is the most typical color and the most prized in the show ring; brindle, fawn and sandy are also permitted under FCI standard 164. The light bone structure, arched spine and long limbs make it a double-suspension running machine, built for endurance on rough terrain.

Temperament

Calm indoors, the Deerhound keeps a settled, quiet household pace and rarely barks — hard to compare to a guard dog. Its attachment to the family is deep but not demonstrative; it coexists without tension with other dogs, a legacy of hunting in packs. Its prey drive is considerable and non-negotiable: any moving object or animal can trigger an instinctive chase at full speed, with no possible return to recall. It is rarely wary of strangers — this sociability makes it a poor guard dog.

Training

Repetitive training is counterproductive with a Deerhound: a highly independent breed, it quickly abandons a sequence it perceives as pointless. The basics of obedience (sit, down, recall in an enclosed space) are learned through short positive reinforcement sessions — 10 minutes maximum. Its dog sport of choice remains lure coursing, which channels the prey drive safely and matches its natural mechanics. Daily exercise should include at least two long outings of 45 to 60 minutes, with the option of a gallop in a secure enclosed space several times a week.

Feeding

250 to 400 g of premium giant-breed kibble a day for a 45 kg adult, in two strictly spaced meals. Up to 18-24 months, controlled-growth large-breed kibble limits pressure on the joints of a light skeleton that grows fast. Glucosamine and chondroitin from age 5 as preventive joint support. Raw feeding (BARF) is practiced by some breeders, but requires heightened vigilance around factor VII deficiency — any cut or surgery can cause unusual bleeding if the coagulation disorder has not been screened for.

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Living conditions

The Deerhound needs a house with a large, tall fenced garden (minimum 1.8 m) — an apartment is unsuited to a 50 kg sighthound whose need for a running start and a full gallop is structural. The fence is not optional: once launched after prey, it reaches 60 km/h without any awareness of obstacles. Its double coat equips it well for harsh Highland winters; summer heat above 25 °C, on the other hand, works against it — a cool, shaded space is essential. Rural or semi-rural areas suit its profile; dense urban environments cause over-stimulation and make managing its prey drive risky.

Grooming and coat care

Care for the harsh coat is moderate: weekly brushing with a metal brush is enough to prevent tangles and remove dead undercoat. Hand-stripping twice a year (removing dead hair by hand) maintains the breed's characteristic harsh texture — scissor grooming damages the coat quality and is not recommended for show dogs. No regular professional grooming is required, unlike long-coated breeds. Clean the ears twice a month and check between the toes after outings on moorland to remove grass awns.

Health

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the breed's main condition, with a prevalence estimated at 25-30% according to the Pankhurst and Cobb (2006) studies and OFA data — an annual cardiac workup from age 4 is recommended. Gastric torsion (GDV) is a real risk for this deep-chested build: two strict meals and an hour of rest after eating are non-negotiable preventive measures. Osteosarcoma and progressive retinal atrophy are documented in the breed. Factor VII deficiency, a coagulation disorder documented in the Deerhound, is detectable by DNA test — screening breeding stock is standard practice among serious breeders.

Breed history

Scottish Highlanders used this rough-coated sighthound from the 16th century to flush out and catch red deer on the mountainous moors — game no other dog of the time could catch at that speed on that terrain. Owning one was a privilege of clan nobility; the law prescribed death for any commoner who possessed a Deerhound, earning it the nickname 'royal dog'. Sir Walter Scott helped popularize the breed beyond the Highlands with his dog Maida, who died in 1824 and for whom he had a statue erected at Abbotsford. In the 19th century, the mechanization of hunting brought the breed to near extinction; brothers Archibald and Duncan McNeill rebuilt it in the 1830s from the few surviving lines. The FCI recognized the standard under number 164, Group 10, section 2.