Scottish Deerhound Puppies: Complete Care and Grooming Guide

Scottish Deerhound puppies are a delight to care for, but they do require some special attention to keep them happy and healthy.

Their coats need regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling, ideally 2-3 times a week.

They're also prone to shedding, especially during shedding season, so be prepared for regular grooming sessions.

Scottish Deerhounds are natural athletes and need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy, at least 30 minutes a day.

Their calm and gentle nature makes them an excellent choice for families with children, but they do require patient and consistent training.

Their short stature and long bodies can make them prone to joint issues, so regular exercise and a balanced diet are crucial.

A balanced diet that includes protein-rich foods and essential vitamins will help keep your Scottish Deerhound puppy in top shape.

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Scottish Deerhounds are calm and sedate, but they still need plenty of exercise to develop properly. They require off-leash exercise in a safely fenced area from an early age to develop their bones and joints.

Deerhound puppies need to start with short walks and gradually work up to longer ones, starting at 8 weeks old and reaching a mile or more by 12 weeks old. By 6 months of age, they'll be capable of much longer walks.

In the house, they need a puppy-proofed room where they can stretch out and play, and when you're not there to supervise, confine them to it with a tall dog gate or baby gate to prevent damage.

Scottish Deerhounds need plenty of off-leash exercise in a safely fenced area to develop properly. A large yard with unrestricted access is ideal, where they can get out and run when the mood strikes them.

Deerhound puppies need to start with walks at 8 weeks old and gradually work up to a mile or more by 12 weeks old. By 6 months of age, they'll be capable and desirous of much longer walks.

Hard surfaces like concrete should be avoided for exercise as much as possible. Long hours in a crate can damage their joints, so it's best to crate them only when necessary.

Scottish Deerhounds are not the easiest breed to train and require patience and understanding. Positive reinforcement with food rewards, praise, and play is the best training technique to use with this breed.

Leash training is a must with Scottish Deerhounds, as their prey drive can kick in when they see small animals in motion. This can lead to heartbreaking situations, so it's essential to keep them leashed on walks.

Scottish Deerhounds are sensitive and won't respond to harsh treatment, so it's crucial to be gentle and consistent in their training.

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As a puppy parent, you want to make sure your Scottish Deerhound is getting the right amount of food to grow strong and healthy.

The recommended daily amount is 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

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This amount can vary depending on your puppy's size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

You should be able to see a waist when looking down at your puppy, and with your hands on his back, you should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard.

This is a good indicator that your puppy is not overweight.

Exercise is crucial for Scottish Deerhound puppies, and they need a lot of it. A large, fenced-in yard or suitable area for off-leash play and exercise is a must.

Scottish Deerhounds have a high prey drive and desire to chase, so they should never be trusted without a leash in an open area. This can be a challenge, especially for inexperienced owners.

Both adults and puppies need to have plenty of exercise each day, including a lot of running. Otherwise, they may develop destructive behaviors due to boredom.

Here are some potential health issues to watch out for:

As a Scottish Deerhound owner, it's essential to be aware of the potential health issues that can affect your furry friend. Scottish Deerhounds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as osteosarcoma, dilated cardiomyopathy, cystinuria, slow drug metabolism, delayed bleeding, hyperthermia, and bloat.

These health issues can be prevented or managed with proper care and proactive measures. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet can go a long way in keeping your Scottish Deerhound healthy.

Some common health issues in Scottish Deerhounds include skin allergies or irritation, parasites, bloat, dilated cardiomyopathy, delayed bleeding, hyperthermia, cystinuria, and osteosarcoma.

Here are some specific health issues to watch out for:

It's also crucial to ensure that your Scottish Deerhound's breeding parents have undergone necessary health testing, such as heart and blood disease testing, and to work with a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health of their dogs.

Exercise is crucial for a dog's overall health and well-being. Scottish Deerhounds, in particular, need a lot of physical activity each day.

They have a high prey drive and desire to chase, so they should never be trusted off-leash in an open area. This is a must to prevent potential harm to themselves or others.

A large, fenced-in yard or suitable area for off-leash play and exercise is essential for these dogs. Both adults and puppies need plenty of exercise each day.

Running is a great way to keep Scottish Deerhounds active and happy. Otherwise, they may develop destructive behaviors due to boredom.

Scottish Deerhound puppies have a thick, wiry coat that requires regular maintenance. They need a good brushing at least once a week to keep their coats shiny and healthy.

You may need to use a slicker brush or comb to remove loose hair, especially during shedding season. This will help prevent matting and tangling of their fur.

Occasional baths are enough to keep odors at bay, unless your dog spends a lot of time outside.

Scottish Deerhounds have a thick, wiry coat that requires regular maintenance. A good brushing at least once a week will help keep their coats shiny and healthy. You may need to use a slicker brush or comb to remove loose hair.

Nail trims are necessary every few weeks to prevent overgrowth. Occasional baths are enough to keep odors at bay, especially if your dog doesn't spend a lot of time outside.

Scottish Deerhounds are a tall breed, with males reaching an average height of 30 to 32 inches.

Their height is matched by a sturdy build, with males weighing in at 85 to 110 pounds.

Females are slightly smaller, but still impressive, weighing 75 to 95 pounds.

Their size is a testament to their origins as hunting dogs, bred to chase down large game.

Scottish Deerhound puppies are naturally curious and playful, but it's essential to choose one with a nice temperament. Look for a puppy that's willing to approach people and be held by them, and avoid the one that's beating up his littermates or hiding in the corner.

Meeting the parents, especially the mother, can give you an idea of their temperament. If they're gentle and friendly, it's likely their puppies will be too. Socialization is also crucial for Scottish Deerhounds, so enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class and expose them to various people, sights, and experiences.

Scottish Deerhounds are very sensitive and require one family, but they're often friendly around new people. They can be lazy, but they'll enter into a single-minded pursuit if something catches their eye, so obedience lessons are a must to manage their energy levels.

They're extremely attached to their human family members and can become miserable, bored, and destructive if left alone too long. Scottish Deerhounds are naturally good with children, but their large size can make them hazardous playmates, so it's essential to teach them not to jump on people.

A good brushing with a pin brush two or three times a week and a few baths a year will keep their harsh coat in good condition, but some Deerhounds have a silkier, longer coat that can become tangled.

Consider reading: Scottish Dogs Breeds

Scottish Deerhound puppies can make wonderful additions to families, but it's essential to consider their compatibility with other pets and children.

Deerhounds can get along with children, but they're not a playmate kind of dog and prefer older kids who understand how to interact with them.

They're best suited to homes with older children who understand how to approach and touch dogs gently.

Their size makes them unsuited to life with small children, as they can easily knock them over without meaning to.

Always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling.

Teach your child never to approach any dog while he's sleeping or eating or to try to take the dog's food away.

Deerhounds can live peaceably with small dogs or cats indoors, but if they see them running around outdoors, it can be a different story.

They were bred to course alongside other dogs and generally get along well with other medium or large breeds.

However, their high prey drive means pairing them with cats or small dogs can lead to chase behaviors that are dangerous for the smaller animals.

You should never leave a small pet within access of a Deerhound.

Given their large size and sensitive nature, it's essential to teach both dog and child to interact appropriately.

Accidents can happen if you leave a large dog with a young child unsupervised, so always supervise interactions between them.

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