Scottish Deerhound Dog Breed Information (2024)

FAQs

How fast can Scottish deerhounds run? ›

Scottish Deerhound (28 mph)

This dog breed was designed with the perfect characteristics for deer hunting. Their shaggy coats give them an adorable shabby look, and they can reach around 28 miles per hour.

Should be dark-generally dark brown, brown or hazel. A very light eye is not liked. The eye should be moderately full, with a soft look in repose, but a keen, far away look when the Deerhound is roused. Rims of eyelids should be black.

The average Scottish deerhound lifespan is 8 to 11 years. Scottish deerhounds are a giant breed and prone to several health problems common in large dogs and sighthounds. Many of the health issues in deerhounds are preventable or treatable, though, so it's helpful to know the signs and symptoms of common problems.

Gentle and unassumingly friendly, the Deerhound can make an excellent pet if their instincts to chase and hunt are taken into account. Typically a quiet and reserved hound, Deerhounds can be very demonstrative in their affections with family and friends, but not overwhelming or outrageously rude.

The Scottish Deerhound loves human companionship and won't do well in a home where he is left alone for a significant amount of time. For the most part he does what he wants to when he wants to and whatever is appealing at the time.

Scottish Deerhounds are one of the Obedience world's best kept secrets. Why Deerhounds are easier to train than many other breeds: You don't have to bend over to praise or position them. Fairly reliable on (Down) Stays.

Like most sight hounds, Scottish deerhounds are very sensitive, one-family dogs. They are friendly, but not gregarious, toward strangers. As a watchdog or protection dog, they are quite hopeless.

The Deerhound is courageous and loyal but not known as great watchdogs because they tend not to bark – even when the doorbell rings. They love to lounge and need a comfortable spot to stretch out. Scottish Deerhounds run swiftly and can jump great heights and therefore need a safe place to exercise.

Deerhounds enjoy cold weather, and often lie on hard, cold surfaces. This habit tends to produce calluses that do not heal easily. The deerhound coat does not shed, but it needs weekly brushing or combing, and the dead hairs need to be pulled out by hand twice a year.

Are Scottish Deerhound rare? ›

The Scottish Deerhound is so valuable not only because it is rare, but because it possesses a preeminent hunting ability.

A Deerhound should live happily with other household pets. However, since they were bred to chase and catch game, the sight of a small animal running may trigger a response. Your Deerhound may share companionship with your indoor cat, but may change its attitude outdoors when a cat runs past.

Deerhounds do not smell unpleasantly of "dog" and their coat is very easy to keep clean in the daily run. Deerhounds love their families and are happiest living together with them in close contact.

The Scottish Deerhound breed loves to spend time inside the home with its human family. Nevertheless, the dog can adapt to living outdoors in warm or cool climate. Routine exercise is essential for the breed, ideally in the form of a long walk or running in an enclosed area.

The Irish Wolfhound is taller than the Scottish Deerhound. The IW is, in fact, the tallest of the AKC breeds, standing at a minimum 32 inches for males and 30 inches for females. In comparison, Deerhound males should be 30-32 inches and females at 28 inches and up.

The Scottish deerhound was originally bred to hunt deer in the mountainous regions of Scotland. This dog can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, and it can weigh as much as 110 pounds.

If you think the sleek Whippet resembles a smaller Greyhound, you're right! These medium-sized dogs are descended from Greys; they're both racing dog breeds, which is why Whippets are the fastest dogs of their size, reaching speeds of up to 35 mph.

Greyhound. R. Bitzer Photography / Adobe Stock Greyhounds are the fastest dog breed and can run at speeds of 40–45 mph.

Vizslas are medium-sized dogs that originated in Hungary and have long been known for their fast speeds. A Vizsla can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, which is amazing, considering an average human can only run around 6 miles per hour.