Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound, English Wirehaired Greyhound

Born as a hunter, the Deerhound is today an incomparable companion dog and a robust and enduring long-distance runner, his physique allowing him great endurance and speed. Not always appreciated at his true value by "purist" enthusiasts and being the only wirehaired sighthound in Great Britain, he is only just beginning to be discovered in European territory. However, it is still difficult to get a puppy there. Despite everything, he is very present in the French cynodromes, where pari-mutuel betting is practiced and where he is found alongside the Whippet and the Greyhound.

He is however much more popular in Australia where he hunts wild pigs, foxes and of course kangaroos. He is also found in good numbers in the United States, where he is used to hunt coyotes with other greyhounds. To purchase a Deerhound, it is therefore necessary to go to Australia or the United States.

Height 67 to 76 cm
Weight 34 to 50 kg
Life expectancy 11 to 13 years

Quick Overview of the Deerhound

Temperament

  • Gentle and calm
  • Kind and loving
  • Obeying
  • Good companion for the family

Appearance

  • Sturdy with a solid frame
  • Noble and elegant impression
  • Hard, dry and straight coat
  • Long curved or straight tail

Health

  • Generally healthy
  • Rarely ill
  • No particular pathology
  • No congenital diseases

Temperament of the Deerhound

Gentle, calm, kind and affectionate, this large, very worthy and noble dog is obedient and makes an excellent companion for the whole family.

Pretty docile, his education and socialization do not usually cause any problems.

This particular specimen is quiet in the family and very gentle with all members of the household. He adores his master and is always ready to defend him. He can adapt to all types of owners and family situations.

He can be calm and quiet indoors despite his size, but when he is outside, he lets out all his energy, especially when he has plenty of space to gallop. He loves his comfort, and has no problem using the sofa or warming himself in front of the big living room fire while waiting for the next outing.

deerhound personnalité

Breed Appearance

deerhound

Resembling his counterparts also used for racing, the Deerhound has a stronger body build than the Greyhound, but less than the Irish Wolfhound.

This large, robust dog with solid bones gives a noble and very elegant impression. His general appearance shows off the nobility he has know for a long time.

Height

Between 73 and 76 cm (28.74 to 29.92 inches) for the male
Between 67 and 71 cm (26.38 to 27.95 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 39 and 50 kg (85.98 to 110.23 pounds) for the male
Between 34 and 43 kg (74.96 to 94.80 pounds) for the female

Color

The color of the coat can vary with dark grey-blue, sand, yellow, orange and red with a black mask and black ears. White is present only on the toes or chest.

Hair

His hard hair is dry and stiff on the limbs and neck. It is a little longer on the belly, chest and head.

Morphology

His head has a flat skull and no stop. His eyes are dark color.

His ears rise in action and are folded back at rest. His nose is black. His long tail drops, curved or straight.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 10, section 2 and is #164

Deerhound puppies near me

Tips About this breed

Not a city dog at heart, he needs space to move around freely.

If a city dweller wants to own such a specimen, he must have a space where he can release him very often to maintain his calm and balanced character.

He is very sociable by nature with everyone, but remains suspicious of strangers. Not at all aggressive, he can sometimes intervene if the need arises. Normally, he is gentle and easy to approach.

He is easy to educate, but his education must be firm and carried out with calm and gentleness.

Socialization does not usually cause any particular problems but should be undertaken early.

Health of the Deerhound

Very robust, the Deerhound generally enjoys excellent health.

He is rarely sick and the breed is not affected by any particular pathology, just as no congenital disease affects the numbers.

The only particularity to watch out for in his case is maintaining a healthy weight. He tends to be greedy and can easily become obese, which is very detrimental to his health.

Healthy and fit specimens normally enjoy a very good life expectancy.

GROOMING

His rather peculiar dress is nevertheless relatively easy to maintain. Regular brushing is enough to ensure its cleanliness. However, no other special care is necessary.

History of this breed

Already in the Middle Ages, the Deerhound was used to hunt deer by the clan chiefs of the time. He is one of the oldest breeds of dogs used to hunt big game.

In the 3rd century, these dogs would have been used by the legendary hero Fingal and the breed would be described in the 18th century by Pennant, the naturalist. The Deerhound was even Sir Walter Scott's favorite dog, the Scottish writer born in 1771 in Edinburgh, who described him as "the most perfect creature there is".

At one time, he was highly esteemed and prized by the Scottish aristocracy. The breed was already exclusive to the nobility throughout this period.

A little later, still in the grip of nobility, he became the favourite of the racing enthusiasts and gradually lost his notoriety as a hunter.

In 1886, the breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club. Despite his European origins, the breed has spread to Australia and the United States, but is still not well known in Europe.

The Scottish Deerhound is a fast and very skillful hound that can hunt in rugged terrain between rocks, through heather and bogs as well as along the lochs in his native Scotland.

In the past, he often took part in hare and deer hunting competitions organized from time to time for the pleasure of the crowds.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

best fresh dog food 5 brands

We Tried 5 Fresh Dog Food Brands

Is all the marketing hype worth it? Did our dogs enjoy them? Here’s our dogs’ totally honest review.

Free ebook: 10 signs your dog needs a diet change

Get this free vet-approved ebook and change your dog’s life!