Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound – the great family dog

A Scottish Deerhound is a large, loyal, and royal family dog with a big heart and a gentle disposition toward its family. Although it appears to be a couch potato who enjoys snuggling up in duvets, baskets, and blankets, it has hunting genes in its blood and enjoys activity, running, and dog sports. The large dog requires a lot of space, both inside and outside. If you can provide it with a safe home with plenty of space, you will receive a devoted family dog who enjoys being a part of the family and learning new tricks.

The royal breed

The Scottish Deerhound, also known simply as the Deerhound, is a hound breed native to Scotland. Its ancestors can be traced back to the Celtic cultures of Scotland and Ireland, where it was bred to hunt the indigenous red deer. The history of the breed can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was known as the "royal dog of Scotland" and was a favorite of the Scottish nobility.

Prior to the introduction of firearms, the Scottish Deerhound was used to assist in the capture of deer game. When firearms were introduced into the hunting world, the dog's responsibilities were taken away, and it was on the verge of extinction. It was saved by the exhibition world after Queen Victoria, exhibited her Scottish Deerhounds in 1869, which drew attention to the breed. 

Today, the dog breed lives primarily in countries such as the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, the USA and England. In all countries, the dog is primarily used as a companion dog due to its gentle nature.

Characteristics of a Scottish Deerhound

The breed is characterized by its long, narrow, and tall body and face. The dog has a narrow face, a long muzzle, and two close-set, backward-bent ears. The head is small in comparison to the rest of the body, standing between 71 and 76 centimeters tall. Despite its size (36 to 46 kilos), the Scottish Deerhound is classified as a large dog, and the breed is classified as a greyhound under FCI group 10.

The dog's fur is shaggy and rough on the outside, but soft on the belly, chest, and head. The hair is 7-10 centimeters long and close to the body, except on the legs, which have inside fringes. The coat of a Scottish Deerhound can be dark blue-grey, red, yellow, sandy, fawn, gray, or brindled. The hairs frequently have black tips.

An active family dog

Despite its origins as a hunting dog, the dog makes an excellent family dog for an active family. The breed has a big heart and needs to be around people. It enjoys snuggling up indoors in blankets and baskets in the same room as the family. It is not demanding of attention, but it wants to be in the same room as the family, go on trips, and feel like a member of the family. This means a lot to the dog, who dislikes being alone.

The dog breed is gentle and friendly to its family, other dogs, and strangers. As a result, it is unsuitable as a guard dog and rarely barks. Because of its previous life as a hunting dog, the Scottish Deerhound enjoys a lot of exercise, training, and dog sports.

If you have a Scottish Deerhound, you must devote a significant amount of time to training from the start. You must focus on training and socialization. It should be noted that this dog likes to steal food from tables that are within easy reach.

The dog's basic needs

Scottish Deerhounds are a large dog breed that can grow quite tall. As a result, they have specific dietary requirements that must be met in order for them to remain healthy and fit. A Scottish Deerhound should be fed a diet rich in protein and fat and low in carbohydrates. This is due to their high metabolic rate and the amount of energy required to maintain their lean body mass. Their diet should consist primarily of meat, such as chicken, beef, lamb, or fish, with a moderate amount of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

It's a good idea to feed them a diet designed for large-breed dogs, which typically has a slightly lower protein and fat content than a diet designed for a smaller breed. This is because large-breed dogs are more likely to develop hip dysplasia and other orthopedic issues, and a diet low in protein and fat can help to reduce this risk.

It's also critical to keep your Scottish Deerhound hydrated at all times and to monitor their weight and adjust their diet as needed to avoid obesity. It is also critical to feed them smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. Because of their deep chest, they can bloat if they eat too quickly or too much in one sitting.

Groom your Scottish Deerhound correctly

Scottish Deerhounds have a thick, wiry coat that needs to be groomed on a regular basis to prevent matting and tangling. Brush your dog with a slicker brush, a greyhound comb, or a pin brush at least twice a week. This will remove any loose hair and dirt from the coat and help to keep it shiny and healthy.

However, as a puppy, you must pay close attention to your Scottish Deerhound because it grows quickly, requires proper nutrition, and should not be subjected to stressful training too soon. This can have an impact on its joints and bones. As a result, you should be aware that your puppy requires an energy-dense diet.