Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Deerhounds are huge greyhounds that once used to hunt Deer in the highlands. They have a hairy coat with long elongated legs and slender physique.
Breed Profile
Height
28 - 32
Inches
Weight
8 - 15
Pounds
Life Span
8 – 11
Years
Health
health
Osteosarcoma
What is it?:
Osteosarcoma is a kind of tumor of the bone or could also be known as bone cancer. These tumors can affect any part of the body but are mostly found in the legs.
Clinical signs
The clinical symptoms of this condition may include -
Weakness in the body
Swelling on the legs which may cause pain
Lumps on different parts of the body
Can cause fractures
Lameness due to pain and swelling
Loss of appetite and hence weight reduction
Problem in breathing, if lungs are infected
Treatment
The treatment for Osteosarcoma depends on the condition of the dog. It can be a combination of various treatments. Chemotherapy is given to the dogs in order to control further spread of the cancer in the body. While surgery may be performed in the form of limb amputation or removal of the cancer from a particular area sparing the limb. Sadly there aren’t many treatments for Osteosarcoma except for the ones to relieve the pain and to improve their deteriorating health. Other treatment options are radiotherapy or immunotherapy. The combination of treatments depends on each and every case.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Gastric Torsion
What is it?:
Gastric Torsion is also known as bloat. It is a condition that is a result of fluid and/or gas build up in the stomach, it swells. This leads to the twisting of the stomach and cuts the blood supply.
Clinical signs
Gastric Torsion is a condition that occurs too quickly and things could escalade pretty fast. The symptoms of the condition are as follows:
Collapsing of the body
Pale gums and tongue
Dry heaving
Discomfort due to pain
Back arched, unwilling to lie down
Quick breathing
Drooling of saliva
A feeling of unrest
Treatment
A few ways to reduce the discomfort and prevent it from happening are:
Decompression of stomach and reducing gas
Pain relief medications
Intravenous fluids with electrolytes to improve circulation
In worst cases, surgery may be performed to fix the stomach
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Athletic
The Scottish Deerhounds are very agile as they are hunting dogs and are known to be speedy.
Lazy
Even though Scottish Deerhounds are known to be athletic outdoors, they are a lazy breed and are often found sprawled up on the floor..
Calm
Scottish Deerhound puppies may be active but the older ones are usually calm. They don’t bark too often and generally don’t demand too much attention.
Lifetime Care
Coat
Scottish Deerhounds have a long 3-4 inch coat which is harsh as it is to protect them during hunting.
Colors
The Scottish Deerhound may be dark grey, Earthy red, grey, yellowish and red fawn.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
Their coat does not shed but it requires regular brushing. They also require dead hair to be pulled out occasionally as well as their beard kept clean by washing.
Training
The Scottish deerhounds should be trained at an early stage as they can be slightly slow to obey. It may take around 4-6 weeks to train them completely. They are quick learners If taught well.
The Scottish Deerhound has its roots in Scotland. In the 16th century, the breed was known as the "Royal Dog of Scotland." The Scottish Deerhound is one of the tallest dog breeds. During the times of Chivalry these dogs were owned by earls, they were valued for their beauty and skill. They were originally bred to hunt down red deers in the highlands.
The Scottish Deerhound: Introduction to the Breed
The Scottish Deerhound is a hunting dog, who is extremely affectionate in nature. They are Loyal and courageous as well as calm and dignified.
Physical Characteristics:
Tall
Agile
Coarse hair
Strong & Muscular.
Best suited for pet-owners:
Who have active lives.
Who live in colder regions .
Who have older children.
Who have time for them.
Things to watch-out before deciding to own a Scottish Deerhound
They may be affectionate dogs but they are not comfortable in an apartment as they need more space to move around.
The Scottish Deerhound often demands their owners time as they do not like to be left alone at home.
They may be active in their beginning years but as they grow older they tend to get lazy but that doesn’t change the fact that they still need exercise.
It's better to not have any other pets like a cat or a dog as they could mistake them for prey.
They may be an enormous looking breed but they are not watch dogs.
What should a Scottish Deerhound eat?
Scottish deerhounds should be fed well according to their age and size. Their meals must be divided well throughout the day and special care should be taken so that they don’t become overweight. They should be given vegetables, Proteins, fats and bones to give them enough vitamins for a healthy body.
Conclusion
The Scottish Deerhound may have been bred for hunting but If you are looking for an almost human loyal buddy, The Scottish Deerhound is just the match for you. They may not be the dog for someone who is looking for protection but they are an absolute joy to have as gentle pets. They are the best jogging buddies and also love to be a couch potato, this way one gets the best of both.
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