Deerhound
Puppy
Fully Grown
The Deerhound (also known as a Scottish Deerhound) is a giant dog with a rough outside and a very soft delicate nature inside. This is not only one of the largest breeds but also one of the oldest, originating in Scotland where they were traditionally used to hunt deer.
These sight hounds grow from very small, cute puppies to giant dogs that will need to learn about their own size. They generally learn this by bumping into things with their long limbs and rear-end. This is all part of learning how to operate their large body.
Deerhounds are gentle giants that are always friendly and calm and tackle everything with dignity. They tend to be more reserved towards people and other dogs. They are not aggressive or distrustful, it’s more as if they know they could hurt them with their power and the size of their body, and would rather stay away to avoid any confrontation.
As a family dog they show great potential, and are patient, loving and very tolerant towards kids. They look for constant participation and want to be amongst the pack, which is sometimes hard to manage because they are so huge. A small apartment or a small house is not going to work for this breed.
Deerhounds’ coats require low maintenance and always look shaggy. It is recommended that you brush them once in a while to keeps thing out of their coats.
| Weight: | 39-50 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 8-11 years |
| Coat: | Long |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | very high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Low |
There are many sources to get your Deerhound from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Deerhound to adopt:
To help your rescued Deerhound to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Deerhound from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
