The Scottish Deerhound has a natural glory attached to them. This formidable dog breed, resembling a Greyhound, possesses a wise appearance. These are keen and alert beings that emanate dignity through their actions.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: Scotland
Used for: Hunting (especially deer), chasing, companion
Average Life Span: 8-9 years
Color: Grey, brindle, black, fawn, yellow, red
Coat: Rough and wiry
Average Height: Males: 30-32 inches, Females: 28 inches and above
Average Weight: Males: 85-110 pounds, Females: 75-95 pounds
Group: Hound
History and Domestication
The Scottish Deerhound can be called an ancient breed because pictorial evidences indicate their existence much before the recorded history. They have been depicted in pottery from the Roman era. The Scottish Deerhound is believed to have been kept by the Scots and the Picts who used them for their dietary needs. Some standing stones from the 7th century, adorn caricatures suggesting that these hounds were used for hunting. This dog breed was initially trained to be deer hunter or even used for stalking the deer. These were prominently used for such purposes till the end of 19th Century. That is when the environment changed to smaller forest areas and people preferred smaller dogs to track deer. With time, this breed of hunting dogs evolved into being used for sporting purposes, mainly for the nobility and the affluent classes. As the trend shifted to stalking and shooting, this breed lost much of its prominence. But there was always that section of people who domesticated them and made them into a show breed.
Standard Physical Characteristics
The Scottish Deerhound has a rough and wiry coat which can be 3 to 4 inches long. Unlike the Greyhound, dogs from this breed have a larger built and bone structure. These are categorised with the tallest sight hounds. Though their coat is rough, the hair on the underbelly and breast are much softer. Their rose ears are dark, small, and fold back but when they are excited, their ears stand semi-erect. Their eyes too are dark and can be hazel coloured or dark brown. Scottish deerhound has straight teeth and their tail is curved or straight and almost reaches the ground.
Care, Grooming and Health
The Scottish Deerhound is rather easy to take care of. Though they have a rough and wiry coat, it is alright if you miss out on a few sessions of brushing its mane.
They can be combed and set right in no time. Since they usually do not create any fuss, it is easier to have them around the house. One needs to ensure that they get a regular dose of walking and exercise each day, this will ensure that they remain docile and under control.
Living Conditions
They can live in almost any condition, even in a city apartment as they are not too fussy about the space. The only important requirement would be to ensure that they have some place nearby to go to or where you can take them to, for a leash free walk every day.
Temperament
This dog breed is a pleasure to have around. A Scottish Deerhoundd is an extremely friendly breed and is always eager to please. They boast of an easy and docile attitude and they live with dignity. When young, they may appear a bit restless at times and be destructive but this may be due to lack of proper and regular exercise. An adult deerhound prefers relaxing and spends the day like a laid back pet sleeping away. They are safe animals and you can trust them with the children but it’s wise to supervise them when they are around very young children.
