People usually look up the Scottish Deerhound when they’re weighing up a big, athletic sighthound: will it fit the household, what daily life feels like, and what health risks come with a tall, deep-chested frame. A Deerhound can be quietly affectionate and surprisingly calm indoors, but it’s not a low-maintenance dog—size, speed, and a few breed-linked conditions all matter.
Below are the practical details that shape ownership: what the breed standard actually says about size and coat, how much exercise is realistic, what training tends to work, and which health issues deserve an upfront chat with a vet.
Quick facts: Scottish Deerhound
- Origin: Scotland
- Height: dogs: minimum desirable 76 cm; bitches: minimum desirable 71 cm1
- Weight: dogs: about 45.5 kg; bitches: about 36.5 kg1
- Coat: harsh, crisp, shaggy (not woolly), with softer hair on head, chest and belly1
- Colours: dark blue-grey and other greys; brindles; also yellows/sandy-red/red fawns with black points (some white permitted on chest/toes/tail tip; less is preferred in the UK standard)1
- Typical temperament: gentle, dignified, calm, loyal (often reserved rather than effusive)3
- Exercise needs: high—often more than 2 hours a day for adults, plus safe opportunities to stretch out at speed2
- Commonly discussed health concerns: gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV/bloat), cardiac disease (including dilated cardiomyopathy), osteosarcoma (bone cancer), and some inherited bleeding/clotting disorders screened by breed clubs4, 5, 6, 7
History and origin
The Deerhound sits in Scotland’s long tradition of rough-coated, greyhound-type coursing dogs—built to run down red deer over open ground. The modern breed standard is shaped by that job: long stride, deep chest, strong loin, and a weather-resistant coat suited to cold, damp country.1, 2
Physical characteristics: what you notice first
A Scottish Deerhound reads as height, reach and quiet power. It’s a sighthound—long-legged and aerodynamic—yet heavier-boned than a Greyhound, with a rough coat that lies close and feels harsh to the touch. Woolly coat is considered undesirable in the breed standard, partly because it doesn’t shed weather the same way.1
Because they’re tall and fast, practical handling matters: secure fencing, careful recall expectations, and lead skills that protect both dog and passer-by when a sudden moving object triggers the chase instinct. That chase response is not disobedience so much as ancient wiring.
Temperament: gentle, but not small
Deerhounds are often described as calm and dignified companions at home, with a soft manner once they know you. Many are polite with visitors rather than demonstrative, and their “independence” shows up as a tendency to weigh things up before responding.3
With children, the main consideration is size and swing of tail and body. Even a well-mannered Deerhound can accidentally bowl over a small child in a tight hallway. Supervision and calm greetings are more important than “training tricks”.
Training: firm, consistent, and quietly kind
Training a Deerhound is usually less about dominance and more about repetition, clarity and good timing. Short sessions work best. They tend to respond to calm, consistent handling and rewards-based training, with boundaries that don’t change day to day.
Focus early on:
- Lead walking (a 45 kg sighthound that leans into the lead can be a lot).
- Recall management (practise, but assume prey drive can override training in open spaces).
- Settle skills (teaching calm on a mat is as useful as teaching “sit”).
Exercise and containment
These dogs were made to gallop. Many adults need substantial daily exercise—The Kennel Club describes the breed as needing more than 2 hours per day—along with safe, fenced areas where they can open up without risking roads or wildlife.2
Off-lead time is safest in fully enclosed spaces. In unfenced areas, a Deerhound’s speed and chase drive can turn a split-second decision into a long search.
Grooming and routine care
The coat is rugged rather than fluffy. Weekly brushing is usually enough to lift out dirt and loose hair, with occasional hand-stripping or trimming to keep the outline tidy, especially around the ears, feet and furnishings. The breed standard describes a thick, close-lying, harsh coat with softer hair on the head, breast and belly.1
Like any large dog, keep nails short (long nails change gait), check ears regularly, and stay on top of dental care. Big dogs don’t get a free pass on teeth.
Health concerns to understand before you commit
GDV (bloat) is an emergency
Scottish Deerhounds have the deep chest shape that can increase risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). GDV is life-threatening and needs urgent veterinary care; survival improves with immediate intervention, and mortality in treated cases is still significant.4
Signs that warrant emergency attention include repeated unproductive retching, obvious abdominal swelling, restlessness, and rapid decline.4, 5
Heart disease, including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Cardiac disease is a recurring theme in Deerhound health discussions, including DCM. This is one reason breed clubs and kennel organisations emphasise cardiac screening in breeding dogs.6
If you’re buying a puppy, ask what cardiac testing has been done in the line (and when), and what the breeder does when an issue shows up. If you already own a Deerhound, speak to your vet about the right time to begin routine heart monitoring.
Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer seen most often in large and giant breed dogs, and Scottish Deerhounds are among breeds recognised as being at increased risk.7
Early signs can be subtle: a limp that doesn’t settle, pain, and firm swelling near a limb bone. Any persistent lameness in a giant breed deserves prompt veterinary assessment.
Breed-linked bleeding and other inherited issues
Breed clubs also highlight inherited problems that may not be obvious until a dog is sick or having surgery. The AKC’s health testing guidance for Scottish Deerhounds includes cardiac exams and DNA tests for specific clotting/bleeding disorders (such as Factor VII deficiency and delayed post-operative haemorrhage), plus bile acid testing for liver function screening.6
Finding and choosing a Scottish Deerhound
A good Deerhound starts with transparent, health-focused breeding and honest matching. Before you put down a deposit, ask to see evidence of recommended health testing and have a direct conversation about:
- cardiac screening results and how often dogs are re-checked6
- any family history of GDV, sudden death, or osteosarcoma
- how pups are raised (handling, exposure to household noise, meeting calm adult dogs)
- what support the breeder provides if the dog can’t stay with you
Final thoughts
The Scottish Deerhound is at its best in a household that respects what it is: a gentle, athletic sighthound with a big body and a bigger stride. Give it space, structure, and safe exercise, and it often settles into the home with a quiet, steady presence—like a tall shadow that moves softly until it’s time to run.
References
- The Kennel Club (UK) – Deerhound breed standard
- The Kennel Club (UK) – Deerhound (breed characteristics and history)
- Scottish Deerhound Club of America – Breed information
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV) in dogs
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – GDV (bloat) in dogs
- American Kennel Club – Hound Group health testing requirements (Scottish Deerhound)
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine – Osteosarcoma in dogs
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom