Learn More About Deerhound

Summary

The Deerhound, often called the Scottish Deerhound, is an elegant and imposing sighthound. His physique is strong and muscular, but not clumsy, but with a certain elegance. It gives the impression of speed and endurance. The coat is rough and wiry and usually slightly wavy. The Deerhound belongs to FCI Group 10, which includes greyhounds. When it comes to Deerhounds, there is usually no distinction between performance and show lines, but there are variations in conformation depending on the breeding line.

Character

The Deerhound is a fascinating dog that brings a mix of gentleness and independence. His character is lovable and friendly. In its native Scotland it was used for deer hunting for centuries. Through this use, the Deerhound's instincts are deeply rooted and it shows strong hunting behavior, especially towards wild animals. It is fast and persistent, with a strong prey drive. Despite his hunting instinct, he has an incredibly gentle nature when dealing with people. He is affectionate and tends to seek close contact with his family. The Deerhound is not suitable as a guard dog because it is reserved towards strangers but not aggressive. When it comes to activity, it may come as a surprise that, despite its history as a working dog, the Deerhound is actually quite calm and collected. He enjoys long walks and needs regular exercise, but is by no means hyperactive. His calm nature also makes him a pleasant companion in the house. However, you should be aware that he may not be happy in a small townhouse or apartment due to his size and need for exercise. A special feature of the Deerhound is its independence. He is intelligent and can stay alone well, but this should not be overused. He needs human contact and becomes unhappy if isolated for long periods of time. As part of its hunting instinct, the Deerhound has a strong prey drive and is alert. He will patrol the grounds where he lives and is always looking for something interesting. As for training, it should be remembered that the Deerhound has a gentle nature and does not respond well to harsh training methods. He learns best through positive reinforcement and should be treated with respect and patience. When dealing with children, the Deerhound is usually very gentle and patient. He also gets along well with other dogs, especially if he has been socialized from an early age. However, you should be careful when keeping him around smaller pets, as his hunting instinct can come through.

What to Expect

Deerhounds are sensitive dogs that enjoy traveling with their humans. They can be ambitious when it comes to hunting and are often rather distant towards strangers.

Care

Due to their size and their need for exercise, Deerhounds are not particularly suitable for keeping in a city apartment. A house with a large, fenced yard would be ideal. They are friendly and patient with children, but due to their size and strength they should always be supervised, especially with smaller children. Regarding other pets, it should be noted that the Deerhound has a strong hunting instinct and therefore may not get along well with smaller pets such as cats.

Training & Education

Deerhounds are intelligent and trainable, but they can also be independent and stubborn. Early socialization and positive reinforcement are crucial to successful parenting. In terms of sporting activities, Deerhounds are excellent for coursing and greyhound racing. However, it is important to ensure a balanced mix of physical activity and mental stimulation. This breed is not prone to becoming a ball junkie, but they do need meaningful activity. It is particularly important to train frustration tolerance and impulse control in Deerhounds to counteract their hunting instincts and make them relaxed and sociable companions.

Nutrition & Grooming

When feeding your Deerhound, it is important to choose a balanced, high-quality diet. Since they are large and have a muscular build, they need a diet that is rich in proteins and adequate in fat content. In terms of grooming, the Deerhound has a rough, wiry coat structure with an undercoat. The coat should be brushed regularly to prevent matting. It should be noted that Deerhounds usually shed heavily twice a year. Deerhounds come from the cool climate of Scotland and therefore cope well with the temperate climate in Germany. Nevertheless, they should be protected from extreme cold periods in winter.