Scottish Deerhound Puppy Checklist

Before Puppy Comes Home

Preparing for Your Scottish Deerhound Puppy

• 6-foot fencing audit: The Scottish Deerhound is a sighthound — off-leash exercise without secure fencing is not safe for this breed. A 6-foot fence is the standard recommendation. Inspect the full perimeter: no gaps, no surfaces near the fence the dog can use as a launch point, solid gate latches that self-close. Test before the puppy arrives.
• Request health documentation from your breeder before pickup: Ask specifically for: cardiac evaluation results for both parents (ideally by a board-certified cardiologist), Factor VII coagulation test results, OFA hip and eye certifications. Enter all of this into your vet's permanent record at the first appointment. The cardiac documentation is particularly critical — get it before you accept the puppy.
• XL crate (48 inches): Select for adult Scottish Deerhound size. The crate is a safe resting space from day one.
• XL orthopedic bed: The Deerhound is a long dog — standard large dog beds do not allow full extension. Measure for a bed appropriate to adult length.
• Collar and harness: A martingale collar prevents the narrow-necked sighthound from backing out of a flat collar. A well-fitted harness for walks distributes pressure away from the narrow sighthound throat.
• Grooming tools: Pin brush and wide-tooth comb. Start brief brushing sessions in the first week to build tolerance for the routine.
• Pet insurance enrollment: Before the first vet visit — this is essential. Cardiac disease is a leading health concern in the breed; insurance enrolled before any cardiac abnormality is detected provides coverage that enrollment after detection may not. Ensure the policy covers cardiac conditions, orthopedic conditions, osteosarcoma, and bloat.

First Week Setup

First Week: Vet Visit Priorities

• Enter cardiac and Factor VII documentation in the permanent record: Bring the breeder's health documentation to the first appointment and ask your vet to enter it prominently in the file. The Factor VII status is important for any future surgical planning — it must be in the record and visible in an emergency.
• Discuss prophylactic gastropexy: The Scottish Deerhound's deep chest creates bloat/GDV risk. Add the gastropexy to the spay/neuter plan at the first appointment. Do not wait for a later discussion.
• Cardiac evaluation plan: Ask about scheduling the first baseline cardiac evaluation and the plan for annual monitoring. Dilated cardiomyopathy develops progressively — annual monitoring catches changes early. Know the plan at the first visit.
• OFA hip screening plan: Discuss timing for preliminary and formal hip evaluations. Establish the plan at the first appointment.
• Exercise restriction guidance: The Scottish Deerhound is a giant breed with growth plates closing at 18–24+ months. Free play at the puppy's own pace in a fenced yard is appropriate; sustained running, jumping, and stair climbing are not. Ask for specific guidelines.
• Complete puppy vaccination series: Core vaccines at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Confirm schedule.
• Microchipping: A sighthound that slips a fence can cover ground very quickly — microchip at or before the first appointment.

Training

Starting Training Right

The Scottish Deerhound combines a sighthound's independence with a gentle, affectionate temperament. Training is a relationship-building exercise — this is a sensitive dog that responds to positive reinforcement and patience, not pressure or repetition. The training goals are practical: reliable household manners, comfortable leash behavior, and a trusting relationship with its owner. Off-leash recall in open areas is not a realistic objective for any sighthound.

Start gentle training early. Basic commands can begin at 8 weeks with short, reward-based sessions. The Deerhound is not the most biddable breed — keep sessions brief (5–10 minutes), always positive, and end before the dog loses interest. Positive endings build enthusiasm for the next session.

Leash training — martingale or harness. The Deerhound's sighthound nature means it may lunge toward moving objects. Loose-leash walking takes consistent training; a martingale or no-pull harness provides management while the training progresses. Never use methods that put sustained pressure on the narrow Deerhound neck.

Crate training from day one. Build crate comfort with treats, meals, and gradual duration increase. A well-crate-trained Deerhound is manageable during alone time. The breed can develop attachment to its owner — the crate provides a secure, independent rest space.

Grooming conditioning from the start. Handle paws, ears, coat, and face with treats from the first week. The brushing routine that begins now continues for the dog's life — starting it as a positive, treat-paired process shapes the dog's relationship with grooming permanently.

Lure coursing introduction after 18–24 months. Once the skeleton is mature and the vet clears more demanding activity, lure coursing or fast-CAT events provide the ideal safe, breed-appropriate exercise outlet. The Deerhound's coursing instinct is strong and the enclosed environment of organized coursing allows expression of it safely.