Hound group

Scottish Deerhound

The royal dog of Scotland — gentle, dignified and built to run down deer.

Scottish Deerhounds are giant, rough-coated sighthounds bred to hunt red deer in the Highlands. They are gentle, affectionate and calm indoors, but need space to gallop and a secure environment.

Height
28–32 in71–81 cm
Weight
75–110 lb34–50 kg
Life expectancy
8–11 years
Size
Giant
Group
Hound
Origin
Scotland

Coat: Harsh, wiry, ragged coat. Colours: Dark blue-grey, Grey, Brindle, Yellow, Sandy red, Red fawn.

At a glance

Exercise Requirement3.5 / 5
20-30 min gentle walk2+ hours intense stamina
Indoor "Off-Switch"4.5 / 5
Restless / constantly searching for actionInstantly curls up and relaxes indoors
Trainability3.0 / 5
Strong independent thinkerEager biddable student
Mental Stimulation2.5 / 5
Content with routineNeeds a job or creates mischief
Affection Level4.5 / 5
Polite distanceConstant lap snuggler
Stranger Friendliness4.0 / 5
Naturally aloof / watchfulGreets every stranger as best friend
Child Patience & Safety4.5 / 5
Prefers quiet adultsRemarkably sturdy & patient
Other Dog Friendliness4.5 / 5
Strong solo-dog preferenceLoves pack play and multi-dog homes
Prey Drive5.0 / 5
Ignores crittersHigh pursuit instinct / fence chaser
Vocalization & Barking1.5 / 5
Nearly mute / quietWatchful alarm barker or howler
Shedding Level2.5 / 5
Minimal to non-sheddingHeavy year-round fur shedding
Grooming Burden2.0 / 5
Wash & wear coatDaily brushing + salon visits
Drool Tendency1.0 / 5
Dry-mouthedRequires dedicated slobber towels
Apartment Suitability2.0 / 5
Needs acreage or private runThrives in urban elevator apartments
Beginner Friendliness3.0 / 5
Demands experienced handlerIdeal forgiving companion for first-timers
Owner Demand Level3.0 / 5
Very forgiving for novicesRequires skilled firm handling

Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.

Temperament

Deerhounds are sweet, gentle and polite. They are affectionate with their family, friendly with strangers and good with children and other dogs.

They are sensitive and not eager to obey. Their chase instinct is strong, and they need secure areas to run.

Living with a Scottish Deerhound

Exercise

Daily walks plus regular gallops in a secure area once fully grown.

Grooming

Brush weekly and hand-strip occasionally. Moderate shedding.

Training

Gentle, patient training works best. Lead manners are essential for a dog this size.

Kids & other pets

Excellent with children and other dogs; unsafe with small pets.

Time alone

Prefers company; needs space and soft bedding for its joints.

Home fit

Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.

Is a Scottish Deerhound right for you?

Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a Scottish Deerhound matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.

Take the Breed Fit quizTry Dogsona →

Health

With good breeding and care, a Scottish Deerhound typically lives 8–11 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)

    A serious heart disease in the breed; cardiac screening is recommended.

  • Osteosarcoma

    Bone cancer is more common in giant breeds.

  • Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)

    A deep-chested giant breed at risk.

  • Factor VII deficiency

    An inherited bleeding disorder; a DNA test is available.

  • Cystinuria

    An inherited disorder causing bladder stones.

Ask a breeder for

  • Cardiac examination
  • DNA test for factor VII deficiency
  • Liver shunt screening for puppies

Sources: OFA CHIC breed requirements: Scottish Deerhound; Scottish Deerhound Club of America. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.

Cost to own

After the first year, expect roughly $2,000–$4,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).

  • Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
  • Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
See the full first-year cost breakdown →

History

Deerhounds hunted red deer in Scotland for centuries and were prized by Highland chiefs; at one time, no one below the rank of earl could own one. The breed declined with the end of the clan system.

Enthusiasts revived the breed in the 1800s. The AKC recognised it in 1886, and a Deerhound named Hickory won Westminster Best in Show in 2011.

Did you know?

  • A Deerhound named Hickory won Westminster Best in Show in 2011.
  • Sir Walter Scott called his Deerhound Maida “the most perfect creature of heaven”.
  • At one time, only nobility could own Deerhounds.

Library guides for Scottish Deerhound owners

Similar breeds

Frequently asked questions

Are Scottish Deerhounds good family dogs?
Yes — they are gentle and affectionate, but need space.
How long do Deerhounds live?
Typically 8–11 years.
Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound?
Deerhounds are lighter and more racy; Wolfhounds are heavier and taller.