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AKC: Scottish Deerhound breed overview

Hound group · Scotland

Scottish Deerhound

Also called Deerhound, Royal Dog of Scotland

Tall enough to rest its chin on your dining table, yet gentle, quiet and happiest stretched out on the sofa.

The Scottish Deerhound is a rough-coated sighthound once used to course red deer across the Highlands. Males stand 76 cm (30 in) or more at the shoulder, making it one of the tallest breeds, yet indoors it is famously calm, polite and soft-natured. Its size, speed and short lifespan are the main things to weigh before choosing one.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

34 to 50 kg

75 to 110 lb

Height

71 to 81 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

8 to 11 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

24 months

approximate model input

Life with a Scottish Deerhound

Everyone notices the height first, and with good reason. A male Deerhound stands at least 76 cm (30 in) at the shoulder, and when it lifts its head it can look over a kitchen counter with ease. Yet the dog carries that height lightly: a lean, rangy body, long neck and a gait that seems to float. In outline it resembles a heavier, rough-coated Greyhound, which is more or less what it is.

For centuries these hounds were used in Scotland to course red deer, running them down in open country by sight rather than scent. They are often credited as being so prized that only people of noble rank could own one, which earned the nickname Royal Dog of Scotland. The collapse of the clan system and changes in deer hunting pushed the breed close to extinction, and enthusiasts in the 1800s rebuilt it from surviving lines. The novelist Sir Walter Scott kept a large hound named Maida, often described as a Deerhound cross, and wrote about these dogs with obvious affection.

Living with a Deerhound is quieter than most people expect. Adults spend much of the day asleep, sprawled across the largest soft surface they can find. They are affectionate without being clingy, polite with visitors and generally easy with other dogs. Barking is rare, and as guard dogs they are hopeless; most would greet an intruder with mild curiosity.

What they need is space to stretch out indoors, a safe place to gallop regularly and an owner who respects their prey drive. A Deerhound that sees a deer, rabbit or cat running can be gone at 50 km/h (30 mph) or more before you finish calling its name. Their lives are also shorter than average, often 8 to 11 years, which is the hardest part of loving one.

What stands out

Puppy growth

The growth rate is astonishing. A Deerhound puppy goes from around 5 to 7 kg at 8 weeks to close to adult height by 12 months, then takes another year or more to broaden and gain muscle. In the middle stage it can look awkward, bony and uncoordinated, and crashing into furniture is common.

Read the full puppy growth guide

Illustrative model, not observed breed data or a healthy-weight standard. Use actual measurements and veterinary advice to assess growth.

A great match for

calm households with room for a very tall dog
owners with a large, securely fenced area
people who want a quiet, gentle companion
homes with respectful older children

Think twice if

strong instinct to chase anything that runs
short average lifespan
sweeps tables clear and takes up lots of floor space
needs soft bedding to avoid pressure sores
puppies hard to find

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Scottish Deerhound eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	39 kg	1510 kcal	410 g (4 cups)
Female, typical pet	39 kg	1730 kcal	470 g (4.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	45 kg	1930 kcal	520 g (5.3 cups)
Male, very active	45 kg	2410 kcal	650 g (6.5 cups)

Full Scottish Deerhound feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Scottish Deerhound

FeedingGrowing Deerhounds need a lot of calories, but adults are surprisingly moderate eaters. Adult Deerhounds usually settle at about 400 to 600 g of dry food a day, around 4 to 6 cups, split into at least two meals.Read more ExerciseGive an adult Deerhound around an hour of exercise daily, ideally including a chance to gallop flat out in a safely enclosed field a few times a week. Lead walks are fine for the rest.Read more GroomingThe harsh, wiry coat is surprisingly low maintenance. Brush and comb it through once a week to remove loose hair and catch small tangles, particularly on the beard, behind the ears and under the legs.Read more TrainingGentle and sensitive, the Deerhound cooperates in its own quiet way, but it was bred to act on its own once released on a chase. Calm, patient, reward-based teaching works best.Read more HealthThe breed's average lifespan of 8 to 11 years reflects several predispositions. Deerhounds are known to be at risk of heart disease (particularly dilated cardiomyopathy), bone cancer, bloat, and an inherited bleeding disorder called factor VII deficiency.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Males are expected to stand at least 76 cm (30 in) at the shoulder
2Ownership is said to have once been limited to people of noble rank
3The novelist Sir Walter Scott kept a large hound, Maida, often described as a Deerhound cross
4Said to reach around 55 km/h (35 mph) in a flat-out sprint
5Relatively few litters are born each year, so waiting lists are common
6The harsh coat was meant to shrug off Highland rain and wind

Scottish Deerhound questions

What is the difference between a Scottish Deerhound and an Irish Wolfhound?

They look alike, but the Irish Wolfhound is heavier and more powerfully built, often weighing 10 to 20 kg more. The Deerhound is lighter, more elegant and closer to a Greyhound in outline. Both are rough-coated sighthounds with gentle temperaments and short lifespans. The Deerhound was bred to course deer, while the Wolfhound's history is tied to hunting wolves.

Can a Scottish Deerhound live in a small house?

It can, but it needs floor space. A Deerhound stretched out on its side takes up well over 1.5 m, and its tail can sweep a coffee table clear. Plenty of adults are calm enough for modest homes as long as they have a large, soft bed and daily access to somewhere safe to run. Stairs are fine for healthy adults.

Are Scottish Deerhounds good with cats?

Some are, especially when raised with them from puppyhood, and many live peacefully with the family cat indoors. Outdoors is different: a running cat can trigger the chase instinct, even in a dog that ignores the same cat inside. Introduce slowly, supervise carefully and never assume a Deerhound will leave neighborhood cats alone.

Why do Scottish Deerhounds need such soft beds?

Deerhounds are lean and long-limbed, with little natural padding over their elbows, hips and hocks. Lying on hard floors can cause calluses, pressure sores or fluid-filled swellings on these points. A thick orthopedic mattress, or several layers of soft bedding, protects the joints and skin and is far more comfortable for a dog that sleeps 16 hours or more a day.

How hard is it to find a Scottish Deerhound puppy?

Harder than for most breeds. Relatively few litters are born each year, even in countries with active breed clubs, and puppies are often reserved before they are born. Expect to join a waiting list and to be interviewed by the breeder. Be wary of anyone offering Deerhound puppies quickly, since reputable breeders plan litters carefully and screen buyers.

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