Scottish Deerhound

Built like a rough-coated, larger greyhound, the Scottish Deerhound is a sighthound developed in Scotland for coursing red deer over open ground. It is tall, deep-chested, and narrow through the body, with a harsh, shaggy coat most often seen in dark blue-gray or gray shades. Deerhounds combine long reach, speed, and endurance with a soft expression and a generally gentle house manner. Their working history still shows in a strong instinct to chase moving animals.

Keeping a Scottish Deerhound means planning for size as much as exercise. Puppies grow rapidly and need careful feeding and sensible activity, while adults benefit from long walks plus safe, fenced chances to stretch out at speed. They should be leashed around wildlife and small pets unless reliability has been proven. The coat needs brushing and occasional tidying rather than elaborate styling. Prospective owners should discuss heart health, bloat risk, osteosarcoma, and other large-sighthound concerns with breeders, and should be prepared for soft bedding, large transport space, and a dog that matures slowly.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Brindle, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Dark Gray, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Gray Brindle, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Brindle, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow