Clydesdale — breed guide
A gentle giant whose leg feathers demand as much care as some whole horses.
At a glance
- Group
- draft
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 700–1000 kg (1543–2205 lb)
- Life span
- 20–25 years
- Coat
- Bay with white blazes and famous feathered legs
Living with a Clydesdale
- Low energy — happy with gentle daily exercise.
- Daily grooming — this coat is a commitment.
- Heavy shedding, especially in season.
- Quick to learn.
- Very quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Typically lives happily with a cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Sensitive to heat; keep summer walks short.
- Built for cold weather.
Temperament
Gentle · Steady · Willing
Health to watch
- Chronic progressive lymphedema
- Scratches (leg skin)
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
A Clydesdale’s horseshoe is about the size of a dinner plate.
Questions people ask
Is a Clydesdale good with kids?
Generally yes. Clydesdales are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Clydesdale good with cats?
Usually yes. Clydesdales typically settle well with a resident cat — introduce them slowly and give the cat a high perch and a way out of the room.
How much exercise does a Clydesdale need?
A gentle daily walk.
Can a Clydesdale handle hot weather?
It is sensitive; avoid the midday heat.
Leash Life keeps a Clydesdale's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.