Dog Breeds <Back to Breed Profiles

		Select the dog breed you are interested in from the list below. Alphabetical Search: A - E F - J K - O P - T U - Z or Select A Breed

Deerhound

General
Other Names		Scottish Deerhound
Dog Group Kennel Club		Hound
Breed Classification		The Deerhound is a member of the hound group. They were originally bred for hunting deer; today they are companions.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		Diet should be monitored as this dog grows rapidly as a puppy. The breeder will be able to advise on the correct diet in the correct amounts. It is recommended that the adult dog is feed twice daily, rather than one large meal once a day. They also need an adequate diet as they have high activity levels.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average puppy price ranges from £650 to £800.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years On average the Deerhound lives to between 10 and 13 years.
Average Litter Size		8 The Deerhound generally has large litters, 8 being the average, although litters of 17 are not unheard of.
General Physical Description		These large sized, shaggy coated sighthounds have a very athletic appearance. They are often described as resembling a shaggy coated greyhound.
Height Min Max Bitch 71cm (28") 76cm (30") Dog 76cm (30") 82cm (32") Weight Min Max Bitch 36.5kg (80lbs) 45.5kg (100lbs) Dog 45.5kg (100lbs) 55kg (121lbs)
Size Category		Large
Weight Height Range		Dogs should measure over 76cms at the withers and ideally weigh about 45.5kgs. Bitches should ideally measure over 71cms at the withers and weigh about 36.5kgs.
Ailments		In general the Deerhound is a relatively healthy dog with bloat being one of the main causes of death. It is important that as puppies they are fed the correct diet to ensure the bones and joints form properly thus preventing any future problems. Breeders are now screening their stock for liver shunt problems, so it is advisable to purchase a puppy from screened stock.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		Shaggy haired hounds have been known to exist in Scotland since before the 16th century. It is thought that short-coated hounds were introduced to Britain before the Roman invasion. When these hunting dogs were used in the Scottish Highlands they were at a disadvantage because of their short coats. These hounds were then probably crossed with native hairy-coated dogs to get the Deerhound. They were used, in packs, by the Scottish Chieftans to hunt deer and had to be strong enough to pull a stag to the ground. When guns were introduced and the forests began to be cut down in the early 1700’s these dogs were no longer needed. Some were still kept but they did not become popular again until the 1830’s. They have not changed in appearance very much over the centuries and are still relatively few in number today.
Intelligence		The Deerhound is an intelligent dog that will learn quickly what is wanted and expected of it. They are obedient and eager to please and will acknowledge gentle and calm commands.
Show Characteristics		The Deerhound should have a long head, broad at the ears and tapering to the eyes, the muzzle tapers to the nose. The jaws should be strong and have a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be full and dark in colour with a soft look. The ears should be high set, small in size, folded back and semi erect. The neck should be very strong and quite long. The chest should be deep but not too narrow. The front legs should straight, broad and flat, the back legs should be broad, long and powerful. The feet should be firm and well knuckled. The tail should be long, slightly curved and be well covered with hair. It should almost reach the ground but should never be carried above the back. The coat should be shaggy but never woolly. The hair on the head, chest and stomach should be much softer than the hair on the body, neck and legs. The colours desired are self-colours in dark blue/grey, dark or light grey, brindle and yellow, sandy/red or red/fawn. Some white is allowed on the chest and toes, the less white the better.
Country Of Origin		Scotland
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		Medium
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes per day. As puppies the Deerhound should be restricted in its activities. They do require lots of exercise and need to be fed an adequate diet as a result. They love to run free and several short walks each day are not enough for this athletic hound.
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Medium
Personal Protection		Low
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Low
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		The Deerhound is a gentle, intelligent, friendly dog. They get on well with children but do not make particularly good guard dogs; they are not known to bark a lot. Most Deerhounds still have a very strong instinct to hunt so early introduction to other household pets, especially cats, is necessary.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		> Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		They do need regular grooming at least once a week. The coat may need to be hand plucked once or twice a year depending on its condition.
Colour		They came in a variety of colours, more commonly seen in self-colours such as dark blue/grey, dark or light grey, brindle and yellow, sandy/red or red/fawn, some may have limited white.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: A-E

Affenpinscher Afghan Hound Airedale Terrier Akita Alaskan Malamute American Cocker Spaniel Anatolian Shepherd Dog Australian Cattle Dog Australian Shepherd Dog Australian Silky Terrier Australian Terrier Basenji Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit) Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Bearded Collie Beauceron Bedlington Terrier Belgian Shepherd Dog Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dog Laekenois Belgian Shepherd Dog Malinois Belgian Shepherd Dog Tervueren Bergamasco Bernese Mountain Dog Bichon Frise Bloodhound Boerboel Bolognese Border Collie Border Terrier Borzoi Boston Terrier Bouvier des Flandres Boxer

Bracco Italiano Briard Brittany Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Bull Terrier Miniature Bulldog Bullmastiff Cairn Terrier Canaan Dog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Cesky Terrier Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chihuahua (Long Coat) Chihuahua (Smooth Coat) Chinese Crested Chow Chow (Rough) Chow Chow (Smooth) Clumber Spaniel Coton De Tulear Curly-Coated Retriever Dachshund (Long-Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Long Haired) Dachshund (Miniature Wire Haired) Dachshund (Smooth Haired) Dachshund (Wire Haired) Dalmatian Dandie Dinmont Terrier Deerhound Dobermann Dogue de Bordeaux Elkhound English Cocker Spaniel English Setter English Springer Spaniel English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan) Eskimo Dog Estrela Mountain Dog