Scottish Deerhound
GentleDignifiedPolite
Scotland · 8–11 years
About the Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is the Royal Dog of Scotland, bred for centuries to course red deer in the Scottish Highlands. These tall, elegant sighthounds are often described as a rough-coated Greyhound of larger size. Deerhounds are gentle, dignified, and quietly devoted to their families. Despite their imposing height — males can stand 32 inches or taller — they are remarkably gentle and polite house dogs. Sir Walter Scott called his Deerhound 'the most perfect creature of Heaven,' and the breed has been associated with Scottish nobility for over a thousand years.
Breed stats
- Height
- 28–32 in
- Weight
- 75–110 lbs
- Lifespan
- 8–11 years
- Group
- Hound
- Coat
- Harsh, wiry, ragged, 3-4 inches long
- Origin
- Scotland
Coat colors
- Dark Blue-Gray
- Gray
- Brindle
- Fawn
- Red Fawn
- Sandy
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
40–60 min
per day recommended
Daily food
3–5 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Osteosarcoma
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Liver shunt
- Factor VII deficiency
Not every Scottish Deerhound will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can Scottish Deerhounds eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- Scottish Deerhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds. Males stand at least 30 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh 85 to 110 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 28 inches and 75 to 95 pounds. Some males exceed 32 inches. Despite their great height, they are lean and elegant rather than massive — they have the build of a tall runner rather than a heavy mastiff type. Their size means they need ample living space, and doorways, vehicles, and furniture must accommodate their impressive stature.
- Scottish Deerhounds make wonderful pets for the right owner. They are gentle, quiet, and dignified indoors — often described as the ideal house dog despite their size. They are polite with visitors, gentle with children, and peaceful with other dogs. However, their strong prey drive makes them unsuitable for homes with cats or small animals. They need a securely fenced yard (at least 6 feet) and daily opportunities to run. Their relatively short lifespan of 8-11 years and health concerns like osteosarcoma are important considerations for prospective owners.
- Scottish Deerhounds need moderate daily exercise — about 40 to 60 minutes, including opportunities to run freely in a securely fenced area. Despite their hunting heritage, they are not high-energy dogs and are content with a relaxed lifestyle between exercise sessions. They are sprinters rather than endurance runners, so short bursts of speed satisfy their running needs. Long, leisurely walks are enjoyable for them. After exercise, they are calm and quiet house dogs that spend much of their time sleeping on comfortable surfaces, preferably a large, soft bed or sofa.
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