The Scottish Deerhound is a gentle giant, known for its calm and patient nature. They are often described as laid-back and easy-going.
Scottish Deerhounds are a relatively quiet breed, with a low tendency to bark. They are not typically considered a good fit for families with small children, as they can be clumsy and unintentionally knock them over.
With proper care and attention, Scottish Deerhounds can thrive as family pets. They are highly social and love to be around people.
Scottish Deerhounds require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy, but they are not high-energy dogs and can adapt to a variety of living situations.
Temperament and Behavior
Scottish Deerhounds are unique in that they love to be lazy, but they're at attention if something catches their eye. They will enter into a single-minded pursuit until they succeed.
Obedience lessons are crucial to manage their energy levels and absentmindedness, and prevent problem behaviors related to separation anxiety and boredom.
These dogs are very sensitive and require one family, but they are often friendly around new people.
Deerhounds have two great joys in life: running after things for great distances at enormous speed, and lying next to you on the sofa, head in lap, great dark eyes gazing into yours with equal parts love and laughter.
If you can provide a Deerhound with both of those things, then you face a bright future together. If you can't, then this is not the dog for you.
Deerhounds are extremely attached to their human family members and are miserable, bored, and destructive if left alone too long and too often.
They are happy with much less exercise than they needed in their younger years, but still need regular walks on a leash.
Deerhounds tend to be very good with children, but their large size can make them somewhat hazardous playmates.
They stand more than six feet tall on their hind legs, and weigh between 70 and 130 pounds, with females typically being smaller than males.
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The Scottish Deerhound is the second-tallest of all dog breeds, after the Irish Wolfhound.
Socialization is key to teaching a Deerhound not to terrorize other pets, and to teach them to be friendly around strangers.
They are sensitive to their owner's emotions and need firm but gentle instruction when in training.
Walking them on a leash or keeping them in a fenced-in yard with fences taller than six feet will keep them from antagonizing other animals.
Living with a Scottish Deerhound
Living with a Scottish Deerhound requires a significant time commitment, especially during the puppy stage when they need intense training and socialization.
These dogs are naturally energetic and need plenty of exercise each day, including lots of running, to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
They thrive with a canine companion to learn with, making them a great fit for families with multiple pets.
A large, fenced-in yard or suitable area for off-leash play and exercise is essential, with fences taller than six feet to prevent them from antagonizing other animals.
Scottish Deerhounds are also sensitive to their owner's emotions and need firm but gentle instruction during training, which can be challenging due to their independent nature.
Their high prey drive means they should never be trusted without a leash in an open area, and they may require extra training to prevent them from terrorizing other pets, especially cats.
Scottish Deerhound Temperament
Scottish Deerhounds are unique in that they love to be lazy, but they're at attention if something catches their eye.
They will enter into a single-minded pursuit until they succeed, which is why obedience lessons are crucial to manage their energy levels and absentmindedness.
These dogs are very sensitive and require one family, but they are often friendly around new people.
Scottish Deerhounds are gentle giants, but they do require lots of socialization to teach them not to terrorize other pets.
They are sensitive to their owner's emotions and need firm but gentle instruction when in training.
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This breed can be difficult to housebreak.
The Scottish Deerhound is known to chase unfamiliar animals, so walking him on a leash or keeping him in a fenced-in yard – one with fences taller than six feet – will keep him from antagonizing other animals.
Deerhounds are extremely attached to their human family members and are miserable, bored, and destructive if left alone too long and too often.
They tend to be very good with children, but their large size can make them somewhat hazardous playmates.
Never let your Deerhound develop a habit of jumping on people, no matter how cute it is when he's a puppy.
Deerhounds were bred to course alongside other dogs and generally get along well with other medium or large breeds.
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