Scottish Deerhound - Temperament & Personality
Dog Breeds
Introduction
The personality and temperament of the Scottish Deerhound has allowed it to gain a reputation for being the "perfect dog breed". Their amazing disposition makes them great family dogs, but also great dogs in the company of other dogs.
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Personality
Scottish Deerhounds have often been described as the perfect dog. They are naturally well behaved and quiet animals, which also makes them lousy watchdogs. It would never cross a Deerhound's mind to bark at someone approaching his home, and these friendly dogs will greet everyone they see with a polite wag of the tail. They enjoy exercise and are happy to take long walks and jogs, but when exercise time is over, they can almost always be found curled up on the house's most comfortable sofa. They enjoy the company of other dogs and do well in multiple pet homes, though small dogs and felines often conjure up the Deerhound's urge to chase. They are a wise choice for first time dog owners who live an active lifestyle.
Activity Requirements
Deerhounds are athletes. They were designed to hunt deer twice their size, so they are built for stamina and endurance. They need several long walks every day and should be allowed to run whenever possible. Joggers enjoy Scottish Deerhounds because they can keep pace on long runs. Though they are well behaved indoors, Deerhounds do not make the best apartment dwellers because they require a bit of room to move around.
Trainability
Deerhounds are moderately easy to train. They pick up new behavior quickly, especially when praise and food are the motivation, but some can be quite stubborn and simply choose to ignore the rules. The good news is that they are not particularly destructive or ill behaved, so a Deerhound who doesn't listen is easier to live with than some other breeds. Practice makes perfect, so patience is necessary, but even the most stubborn Deerhound comes around in time. When your Deerhound isn't listening, you should never treat him harshly. They are sensitive dogs who will respond to harsh treatment by completely shutting down. Polite praise and encouragement will help motivate him to repeat good behavior and abandon bad.
Housebreaking can be a long process with Deerhounds. They don't respond well to crating, so as puppies, they require a lot of attention. Some owners prefer the breeder housebreak their dog before bringing him home.
Behavioral Traits
Deerhounds have a strong desire to chase. They should never be left off leash in an unfenced area, as they will give chase to anything that moves quickly, including cars. They shouldn't be trusted around small dogs or non-canine pets, even if raised alongside them as a puppy. Their desire to chase is strong, and havoc will one day ensue if your Deerhound shares space with a feline.
Deerhounds express boredom through chewing. As long as you provide your dog with enough running time every day, he will burn off excess energy and spend his indoor time sleeping and relaxing.
Appearance
Overview & History