Scottish Deerhound

• ExerciseModerate

  A daily walk plus some playtime hits the spot.

• GroomingWeekly brushing

  A weekly brush keeps the coat healthy.

• Living spaceNeeds space

  Wants plenty of room indoors and out.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment8–11 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Dilated cardiomyopathy · Bloat (GDV) · Cancer

The Scottish Deerhound, 'the Royal Dog of Scotland', is a tall, wiry-coated sighthound of quiet nobility — bred to course deer across the Highlands, it gallops like poetry and then lounges like an aristocrat between runs. Gentle, dignified, friendly and famously mellow indoors, it makes a serene and undemanding housemate, but it needs the chance to run flat-out in a safe, large enclosed space to be truly content, balanced by lots of soft-bedded rest. It has a strong prey drive and can't be trusted off-lead near small animals or in open areas, and puppies must not be over-exercised while their large frames grow. The harsh, wiry coat needs only weekly brushing and occasional stripping. As a giant sighthound the Deerhound has a short lifespan of around eight to eleven years and serious risks: it is prone to dilated cardiomyopathy and other heart disease, bone cancer and bloat and gastric torsion (feed measured meals from a raised bowl and rest after eating), and its low body fat makes it sensitive to anaesthesia (tell your vet). Buy from a breeder who cardiac-screens, give a Deerhound safe running, soft beds and gentle care, monitor its heart, and this noble courser will be a devoted companion for its precious years.

• How much exercise does a Scottish Deerhound need?

  Moderate. A daily walk plus some playtime hits the spot.

• How much grooming does a Scottish Deerhound need?

  Weekly brushing. A weekly brush keeps the coat healthy.

• Is a Scottish Deerhound suited to apartment living?

  Needs space. Wants plenty of room indoors and out.

• Is a Scottish Deerhound a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Scottish Deerhound live?

  8–11 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Scottish Deerhound?

  Keep an eye out for Dilated cardiomyopathy, Bloat (GDV), Cancer. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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