The Scottish Deerhound is a model of power and speed. This dog attracts attention with its robust and elegant physique. It is an animal renowned for its ability to hunt big game. Beyond that, it can be a pleasant pet, provided that it has the right living conditions for its well-being.
Characteristics of the Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound has the most "stretched" body of any sighthound. It is distinguished by its strong bones and powerful body. At first glance, they resemble the Irish Deerhound, but have a slimmer body. It measures 71 cm on average if it is a female and 76 cm for the male with a weight of about 30 kg. It is said that it is a dolichocephalic dog, which means that it develops an elongated muzzle. The Scottish Deerhound can be recognized by its long head that tapers to the eyes. The skull is flat and the stop is non-existent. It reveals dark brown eyes of medium size that express a look full of softness. The ears for their part are set high and of small size. They stand up when the animal is awake. As for the coat, it is hard and shaggy like "wire". The coat is very variable, but the uniform grey-blue one is the most sought after. Brindle, fawn or orange coats are also accepted.
History of the Scottish Greyhound breed
A halo of mystery surrounds the true origins of the Scottish Deerhound. The truth is that this breed seems so old that it is difficult to trace its history accurately. There are references to its existence as early as the third century AD. It is said to be descended from the Celtic Greyhound, a breed specialized in hunting in open terrain, but now extinct. Its development would have been carried out on the high plateaus of Scotland. According to some writings, the Scottish Deerhound would have been used by the famous hero Fingal in hunting deer. It was also one of the favorite breeds of the author Walter Scott, who described it as "the most perfect creature ever".
Living Requirements and Behavior of the Scottish Greyhound
Unlike most sighthounds, the Scottish Deerhound develops a gentle, caring character and is very open to gestures of affection. It is a calm animal in a family. However, if given enough space, they will express all their energy by jumping around. On the other hand, it is intelligent and sociable, even if it can show reservations towards the foreigners. It is also an inveterate player since it needs to spend as much time as possible. The Scottish Deerhound can live in the city as long as it gets daily walks and lots of physical activity. It is the ideal breed for sports such as coursing (sight chasing on a lure) or racing on a dog track.
Nutrition and main health problems of the Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a hardy breed as long as it doesn't gain weight. In any case, they are not big eaters. A balanced diet will keep him in good shape. Among the diseases to watch out for are osteosarcoma, cardiomyopathy and stomach dilatation.
