| Country of origin: | United Kingdom (Scotland) |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC |
| Occupation: | Hunter |
| Size: | 36–45kg (79–99lb), 71–76cm (28–30in) |
| Longevity: | 8 to 10 years |
| Exercise: | Daily run |
| Training: | Challenge |
| Grooming: | Easy |
| Colors: | Variety of colours |
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54704990466_d70c19812b_z.jpg "Toftmonks Dotty the Deerhound, opines! "You could feed me Wagyu beef for the cost of this !"")
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54362200467_45ff48ac83_z.jpg "Dotty the Deerhound says "give us a go I can drive that"")
![](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53017309606_a3bb5f523f_z.jpg "Dotty was heard to exclaim: "its this way you dumb monkey!'")
Ownership of this graceful, wistful-looking hound was once restricted to Scottish clan chieftains; when the clan system collapsed in 1746, the breed went into decline. It was eventually revived by a Scottish breeder, Duncan McNeil, and is now, rather oddly, much more common in South Africa than in its native land. While the Deerhound has the musculature and speed of the Greyhound, it also has a rough, weatherresistant coat that is suitable for the damp Scottish Highlands. It is an unassuming and gentle breed, with the short life expectancy typical of a giant canine, about nine and a half years. As with all deep-chested breeds, there is an increased risk of lifethreatening rotation of the stomach.