| Scottish Deerhounds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Scottish Deerhound personality and behavior. |
|
|
My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Scottish Deerhound, including these excerpts:
"Like all sighthounds, the quiet, dignified Scottish Deerhound doesn't behave like a Golden Retriever or German Shepherd. He is unlikely to fetch a ball or protect your family.
Scottish Deerhound puppies and adolescents can be as active and mischievous as any other breed, but adults are calm, graceful, and undemanding. They learn house rules well and spend much of their time sprawled blissfully on the softest sofa.
It is outdoors where Scottish Deerhounds have such special needs. They require space for the long strides of their floating lope (described as "poetry in motion") and their powerful, driving gallop. But it must be a safe, enclosed area, else they will be out of sight in seconds and end up dead on the freeway.
Because of his great size, strength, and speed, the Scottish Deerhound does require early socialization, but he is almost unfailingly polite with strangers. This is not a guard dog, sometimes not even a watchdog -- some easygoing individuals will remain comatose when the doorbell rings.
Scottish Deerhounds are amiable with other dogs, but are serious chasers of anything that runs, including cats and tiny dogs.
Though mildly stubborn and independent, this is a sweet and sensitive dog who is willing to respond (albeit in a slow, casual way, as though humoring you) to cheerful training that includes consistent guidance, verbal praise, and food rewards."
History
In the Middle Ages the Scottish Deerhound was owned by Highland chieftains who sent him after very large deer (about the size of an American elk). He can also take down coyotes.
Size
28-33 inches and 75-115 lbs |
|
Scottish Deerhounds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Deerhounds, and placid Deerhounds.
- Hard-headed Deerhounds, and sweet-natured Deerhounds.
- Serious Deerhounds, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Deerhounds, and Deerhounds who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Scottish Deerhound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is tall, slender, and elegant, yet very powerful -- a racy athlete
- Has a short ragged coat
- Is extremely athletic and graceful -- can run swiftly and jump great heights
- Carries himself in a calm, dignified manner and is mannerly and undemanding (virtually inert!) in your house (adults only)
- Is polite with strangers and absolutely not a guard dog
- Is amiable with other dogs
- Doesn't bark much
A Scottish Deerhound may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Providing a safe enclosed area where he can gallop
- Timidity when not socialized enough
- Emotional sensitivity to stress and abrupt changes in schedule
- Strong instincts to chase other living creatures that run
- An independent "what's in it for me?" attitude toward training -- can be stubborn and strong-willed
- Slowness to housebreak
- Serious health problems
A Scottish Deerhound may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Scottish Deerhound... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough running exercise. Scottish Deerhounds don't need miles of running, but they MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy through all-out galloping a few times a week. Otherwise they will express their boredom through destructive chewing.
| Scottish Deerhounds need access to a large fenced area -- fenced because these independent dogs are likely to take off and not come back. If there is a dog club in your area, get your Scottish Deerhound involved in lure coursing (chasing a mechanized lure around a track or across an open field). This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviors that are "hardwired" into his genes. |
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Scottish Deerhounds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness, which is difficult to live with.
| If you have small children, I do not recommend Scottish Deerhound puppies. First, young Scottish Deerhounds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including small people. Second, the temptation to chase and nip at running children is too great in many young Deerhounds. Finally, Scottish Deerhounds are not Golden Retrievers who love to play with kids. Scottish Deerhounds tolerate well-behaved children, but they do not like to be mauled or hugged or teased and if not allowed to move away from a persistent child, they could react defensively. |
- Chasing other animals. Most people do not realize just how fast and agile sighthounds are -- or how strong their instincts are to chase and seize fleeing creatures. Most Scottish Deerhounds will pursue your neighbor's cat or small dog, if given the chance. And while they will be peaceful with your own cat or small dog when indoors, if the same cat or small dog goes outside and starts to run, it becomes fair game. In today's society, the legal liabilities of owning a large hunting breed should be considered.
- The independent temperament. As I've said, Scottish Deerhounds are not Golden Retrievers. They are independent thinkers who don't particularly care about pleasing you. Most Scottish Deerhounds are very stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Emotional sensitivity. Be honest...is there tension in your home? Are people loud or angry or emotional? Are there arguments or fights? Scottish Deerhounds are extremely sensitive to stress and require a peaceful, harmonious home.
- Housebreaking. Scottish Deerhounds tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training before you see results.
- Health problems. Scottish Deerhounds are extremely prone to a life-threatening digestive syndrome called bloat. In addition, an alarming number of Scottish Deerhounds are dying early of cancer and heart disease.
| Frankly, most Scottish Deerhounds are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or lifestyle necessary to manage the power, speed, and reflexes of this breed. |
| If you're considering an adult Scottish Deerhound... |
There are plenty of adult Scottish Deerhound who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
|
Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
|
