Scottish Deerhound — breed guide
Scottish Deerhound — temperament, grooming, exercise, heat tolerance and care, from the Leash Life breed guide.
At a glance
- Group
- hound
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 34–50 kg (75–110 lb)
- Life span
- 8–11 years
- Coat
- Harsh, crisp and wiry
Living with a Scottish Deerhound
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Light grooming — a brush now and then.
- Moderate shedding.
- Trainable with consistency.
- Very quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Gentle · Dignified · Quiet · Polite
Health to watch
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Bloat
- Bone cancer
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Scottish Deerhound good with kids?
Generally yes. Scottish Deerhounds are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Scottish Deerhound good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Scottish Deerhound need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Scottish Deerhound handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Scottish Deerhound'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.