Deerhound
🧠 Temperament & character
The Deerhound is gentle, dignified and remarkably friendly, a true gentleman among the sighthounds. In the house he is calm, easy-going and affectionate and bonds closely with his people. He usually meets strangers politely and peacefully; he has hardly any real guard-dog qualities. Outdoors his high hunting instinct awakens, which can make him fast and hard to reach at the sight of game.
📜 Origin & history
The Deerhound was bred over centuries in the Scottish Highlands for hunting red deer, which he chased across wide, rugged moor and mountain landscapes. Its ownership was for a long time reserved for the highest nobility, which earned it the nickname 'Royal Dog of Scotland'. With the decline of the clan system and changing hunting methods, the breed came to the brink of extinction in the 19th century, but was saved by dedicated breeders. Today the Deerhound is kept above all as a gentle companion and coursing dog.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The Deerhound's rough, wiry coat is relatively easy to care for and needs regular brushing as well as occasional trimming of dead hairs. As a large sighthound he needs extensive daily exercise and regular opportunity to gallop in a safe area, but is calm and undemanding in the house. Because of his high hunting instinct he should stay on the lead outside secured zones. He is sensitive and good-natured; training succeeds best when it is gentle, friendly and without harshness, whereby young Deerhounds must be protected from overloading the joints.
🩺 Health
Like many giant breeds, the Deerhound unfortunately has only a limited life expectancy of about eight to ten years. Among the serious risks typical of the breed are dilated cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease), life-threatening gastric torsion and bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Responsible breeders have the heart examined and pay attention to healthy bloodlines; calm feeding in portions lowers the risk of gastric torsion. Young dogs should not be overtaxed during growth in order to protect joints and bones.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Deerhound suits calm people with plenty of space who consciously accept a gentle, dignified giant and his limited life expectancy. He needs a house with a garden or plenty of running, but is astonishingly calm in everyday life and a pleasant housemate. For first-time owners with realistic expectations he can be suitable thanks to his good-natured character, provided they factor in the space requirement and the hunting instinct. In Switzerland, the hunting instinct, the lead regulations and the great space requirement of this stately dog should be borne in mind.