How long does a Scottish Deerhound live?

The listed lifespan for a Scottish Deerhound is 8–11 years.

How tall is a Scottish Deerhound?

The listed height for a Scottish Deerhound is 30–32 in (male), 28 in and up (female).

Is a Scottish Deerhound good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Scottish Deerhound is 3 out of 5.

When is a Scottish Deerhound full grown?

The growth size band for a Scottish Deerhound is up to 24 months.

Hound Group

Scottish Deerhound

Scottish Deerhound is a giant dog in the Hound Group. Adult weight is 85–110 lb (male), 75–95 lb (female), height is 30–32 in (male), 28 in and up (female), and the listed lifespan is 8–11 years. AKC describes the temperament as Dignified, Gentle, Polite.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Scottish Deerhound dog — Photo: Wiki.awal · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan8–11 years

Weight85–110 lb (male), 75–95 lb (female)

SizeGiant GroupHound Group

Height

30–32 in (male), 28 in and up (female)

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

1 / 5

Trainability

3 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 36 single-size giant breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 9.5 years is about 0.7 years shorter than the 10.2-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 92.5 lb is about 23.5 lb lighter than the 116 lb average for those giant breeds.

The listed origin is Scotland. The coat is described as double, wiry, medium. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.7 points below the group average of 3.7 for the Hound Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 1 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 3 out of 5. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 5 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 156 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Cardiac Exam, Coagulation Factor VII Deficiency - DNA Test, Bile Acid Test, and Delayed Post-Operative Hemorrhage (DEPOH) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

Frequently asked