Speed, power and endurance enough to bring down a deer: that is how the FCI standard interprets the Deerhound’s build. In the same breath, it describes gentleness, friendliness and quiet dignity. Anyone choosing this calm giant should also understand the high risk of bone cancer.
| FCI | Group 10 (Sighthounds), Section 2 Rough-haired Sighthounds, Standard No. 164, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Great Britain |
| Height at the withers | Desired minimum males 76 cm, females 71 cm |
| Weight | Males approx. 45,5 kg, females approx. 36,5 kg |
| Life expectancy | Median 10,5 years (McMillan et al. 2024) |
| Coat | Shaggy, dense, close and harsh, 8 to 10 cm long and wiry on the body, softer on head, chest and belly |
| Colours according to the standard | Dark blue-grey, lighter and darker greys or brindle, yellow, sandy red or red fawn with black markings; a little white on chest, toes and tail tip permitted |
A thousand years hunting red deer
The origins are mysterious. The standard considers Phoenician traders possible bringers of the ancestors to Scotland; fast hunting dogs certainly existed there when the Romans arrived. The breed has hunted red deer for a thousand years with little change in type. The FCI lists racing, hunting and companionship as its uses.
A rough-coated Greyhound
That is the standard’s summary of the appearance: like a rough-coated Greyhound, only larger and with more bone. The arched loin slopes towards a tail nearly reaching the ground. The Irish relative, the Irish Wolfhound, is heavier according to the standard.
Quiet, trainable, never suspicious
Obedient and easily trained through a desire to please, good-natured and never suspicious, aggressive or nervous: that is the standard’s portrait. This is no guard dog.
Running without hunting
Long walks and regular chances to sprint in a securely fenced area are needed. The sight-hunter’s chase instinct remains, making off-lead exercise in wildlife-rich country risky. Club coursing and sighthound racing are good outlets.
Shaggy, but not woolly
The standard wants dense, close, ragged and harsh hair; woolly coat is undesirable. Weekly brushing and combing usually suffice. Bony joints need a large, soft bed.
Bone cancer, heart and bleeding
A VetCompass study found the Deerhound’s annual bone-cancer prevalence of 3,28 per cent was highest among breeds with at least two cases, with odds 118 times those of crossbreeds, although based on few dogs (O’Neill et al. 2023). A pedigree study of over 1.000 related Deerhounds found osteosarcoma in more than 15 per cent (Phillips et al. 2007). Among 99 British Deerhounds, 21,6 per cent had preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy (Dutton et al. 2022). A SERPINF2 variant greatly increases delayed postoperative bleeding risk (Court et al. 2023). Median lifespan was 10,5 years, compared with 12,0 for crossbreeds (McMillan et al. 2024).
Who the breed suits
Calm people with space and nearby secure exercise areas, seeking a gentle, large dog with manageable grooming, who discuss health openly with breeders.
Better avoided with
Cats and small pets without careful introductions, third-floor flats without lifts, or expectations of a dog accompanying you everywhere off lead.
Does a large sight-hunter fit your everyday life? The breed quiz gives a first answer, our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German) the detailed one. New puppy? There is the free Puppy Starter Pack. For a Deerhound on the wall, explore our dog portraits or choose a downloadable digital artwork.
Further reading
- The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 164 Deerhound (fci.be, English version dated 06.10.2026, valid publication dated 08.09.2026, no German version); O'Neill DG et al., Dog breeds and conformations predisposed to osteosarcoma in the UK, Canine Med Genet 2023; Phillips JC et al., Heritability and segregation analysis of osteosarcoma in the Scottish deerhound, Genomics 2007; Dutton E et al., Echocardiographic reference intervals in healthy UK deerhounds and prevalence of preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy, J Vet Cardiol 2022; Court MH et al., Genes associated with delayed postoperative hemorrhage in Scottish deerhounds, J Vet Intern Med 2023; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
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