Known for its prowess in the field and its intense skill at the chase and known equally as well for its sensitivity and its love of people, the Scottish Deerhound is a unique breed that is highly cherished by the people who have had the pleasure to own one. The Scottish Deerhound is exactly what the name implies, a dog that was bred in the rough lands of Scotland to chase and bring down the deer. For many centuries this was a game dog that served both the peasantry and the landed gentry very well in its pursuit of the deer and doubled as a family dog that held a special place by the fireside of its master. It very nearly died out by the eighteenth century...as there was less demand for deer meat and the times were changing. It is still a scarce breed and ranks quite low on the "popularity list" of the American Kennel Club.
The Scottish Deerhound is a tall breed, from 28-32 inches at the withers. The dog carries a great deal of strength in the neck and shoulders and a powerful jaw, for it is a dog that is built to hunt and bring down wild game that is as big or bigger than himself. The color ranges from dark gray or steel blue to sandy red or fawn . White is strongly discouraged. The dog has a wire coat except that the muzzle itself is not bearded. The outline of the Scottish Deerhound is similar to that of the Greyhound although the form is bulkier and much more muscled. He is a dog that should have the appearance of strength and speed. His temperament is quite gentle and mannerly, although he is a fiery and passionate hunting hound, he is also a sweet and docile companion who loves to be a part of the family.
It has been noted by owners of the Scottish Deerhound that it seems to be a breed that needs to be exposed early to anything it might encounter later on, as it has a tendency to become easily upset when its environment changes suddenly. It is a dog that needs plenty of training and exposure early on and it will adapt to stresses much better if this is done. Any home that is considering a Scottish Deerhound should accept that this is a breed that does not adapt easily to change and should take this into consideration when determining if this is a breed that will fit their lifestyle. Furthermore any time a family considers a hunting breed or a hound for a companion or family dog, considerations of space and exercise are very important, for an active dog needs plenty of exercise and free running room. The Scottish Deerhound is a unique blend of gentleness and courage, stamina and sensitivity, docility and eagerness to hunt, all of these combining to make it a dog that is a very special and much loved companion for those who have had the privilege of owning one.
The Scottish Deerhound is a mellow dog who loves her human family. They are quiet, not barkers. They prefer to have acreage to run on but a properly fenced in yard will work for exercise. They need to controlled when outdoors because they will take off and chase about anything. They may not be trustable with other pets. They like older kids if they have socialized with them at an early age. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Scottish Deerhound is 28 to 32 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 75 to 110 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Scottish Deerhound is no exception. Be on the look out for bone cancer, cardiac diseases and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Scottish Deerhound has a wiry, shaggy and harsh coat two to three inches long. This coat needs to be trimmed and stripped occasionally. A professional groomer can show you how to do this.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.
*Life Span. The Scottish Deerhound can live between 8 and 11 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. The Scottish Deerhound come from Great Britain where they were used for wild deer. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1886.
Some Registries: * Scottish Deerhound Club of America *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry
Litter Size: 8 to 9 Scottish Deerhound puppies
Category: Hound
Terms To Describe: Dignifed, quiet, beautiful, loyal, devoted, mellow, tranquil,
*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Not a barker. Very easy to train.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS Makes a poor watch dog. Makes a poor guard dog. Will chase about anything.
*Other Names Known By: Deerhound,
*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
Both Michael Russell & Mitch Endick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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Mitch Endick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Puppies Dogs and Education. Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.