Scottish Deer Greyhound

The Greyhound is the epitome of canine speed and elegance, possessing a streamlined, muscular body that has been perfected over thousands of years for coursing game at incredible speeds. Males typically stand around 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder, while females measure 27 to 28 inches, with weights ranging from 60 to 70 pounds for males and 60 to 65 pounds for females. The breed's distinctive silhouette features a long, narrow head, exceptionally deep chest, dramatically tucked abdomen, and powerful, well-angulated hindquarters that propel it to speeds exceeding 40 miles per hour, making it the fastest breed of domestic dog. The Greyhound's body is built for supreme aerodynamic efficiency, with every physical feature contributing to its exceptional running ability and endurance. The chest is deep and capacious, providing ample room for the large heart and lungs needed to sustain high-speed pursuit over open ground. The back is muscular and relatively long, with a characteristic arch over the loin that provides the flexibility essential for the breed's distinctive double-suspension gallop, where all four feet leave the ground twice during each stride. The legs are long and straight with well-developed muscles, ending in compact, tight feet with well-knuckled toes that grip the ground effectively during acceleration and sharp turns. The long tail is carried low, slightly curved, and tapers to a fine point, serving as a rudder during high-speed maneuvers. The coat is short, smooth, and fine-textured, lying close to the body with virtually no undercoat, which contributes to the breed's sleek appearance but provides minimal insulation against temperature extremes. This characteristic makes Greyhounds sensitive to both cold and heat, often requiring coats in winter weather and protection from excessive sun exposure in summer. The breed comes in an extraordinary variety of colors and patterns, including solid colors like black, white, red, blue, fawn, and brindle, as well as various combinations with white markings. The head is long and narrow with a barely perceptible stop, featuring small, folded rose ears and dark, bright eyes that convey an intelligent, keen expression reflecting centuries of selective breeding for visual acuity.

The Scottish Deerhound is a majestic giant among sighthounds, often described as resembling a rough-coated Greyhound of larger size and heavier bone. Males stand a minimum of 30 to 32 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 85 and 110 pounds, while females measure from 28 inches upward and weigh 75 to 95 pounds. The breed's overall impression is one of dignified power combined with elegant athleticism, featuring a body that is built for the stamina and strength needed to course the great red deer of the Scottish Highlands. The Scottish Deerhound's distinctive coat is one of its defining features, consisting of a harsh, wiry outer layer that measures three to four inches in length on the body, neck, and quarters. The hair on the head, breast, and belly is somewhat softer, and the breed sports a characteristic beard, mustache, and pronounced eyebrows that contribute to its noble expression. The ideal coat is thick, close-lying, and ragged in appearance, with a crisp texture that provides excellent protection against cold, wet weather. While dark blue-gray is the most preferred color, acceptable shades include darker and lighter grays, various brindles, and yellow, sandy red, or red fawn with black points. A small amount of white on the chest or toes is permissible but not desired. The head is long and level, broadest at the ears and tapering toward the muzzle, which is pointed but not snipey. The skull is flat rather than rounded, with a very slight rise over the eyes but no pronounced stop. Dark eyes are moderately full with a soft expression at rest but keen and far-reaching when the dog is alert. The ears are small, soft, and set high, folded back like a Greyhound's when relaxed but often raised when the dog is excited. The neck is long and strong, often adorned with a mane, and the chest is deep rather than broad, providing the lung capacity essential for sustained pursuit. The long tail reaches nearly to the ground, is carried low with a slight upward curve, and is well covered with wiry hair.