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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Scottish Deerhound

Giant, rough-coated sighthound bred to course deer. Gentle and dignified indoors, a fast and keen chaser outside.

Grey brindle Scottish Deerhound bitch standing side-on in front of a brick wall, showing her tall, rough-coated sighthound outline
Scottish DeerhoundPhoto: Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Weight
34–50 kg75–110 lb
Height
71–81 cm28–32 in
Lifespan
8–11 yrs
Group
Hound
Origin
Scotland
Popularity
#156 US#95 UK · 2025

Known for: Running partnersQuiet

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Gentle, Friendly, Dignified, Docile.

Health problems to know about

  • Osteosarcoma
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy
  • Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
  • Portosystemic shunt
  • Factor VII deficiency

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Long daily walks on lead plus regular free running in a large, securely fenced area. Brush the harsh coat two or three times a week. Tell your vet the breed before any anaesthetic, as sighthounds can react differently.

A good fit for

Country homes with a big garden, owners with time for plenty of exercise, and people who want a calm giant indoors.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with cats or small pets, small homes without a garden, households with toddlers, and owners who are out all day.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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