The Scottish Deerhound certainly fits the description of a gentle giant. They generally weigh between 75-110 pounds however they are one of the most affectionate dogs towards friends and strangers alike. While their size may be intimidating, they do not make great watchdogs because they have such a friendly and gentle nature. You will rarely see this breed barking uncontrollably or behaving aggressively. 

While the exact origin of this breed is unclear, it is known that they have been around since at least the 16th century. They were highly respected among the royal family and only those with a rank of earl and above were allowed to own one, it is no wonder why they earned the nickname of “Royal Dog of Scotland”. The strict restrictions on owning these dogs almost led them to complete extinction at one point. Thankfully the Deerhound remained and even made its way to America, they are however one of the rarest of the purebred dogs. 

The original purpose of this dog was to bring down Scottish roe deer. These deer were at least twice the size of the Deerhound, and needless to say, they were once fairly aggressive dogs. While the breed did not retain any of its aggressive traits, they still do have a lot of energy. Typically, they will have an extremely high energy level until the age of about 3-5 years old and will then develop into more of a docile dog that enjoys being home and going for a daily walk. Their large sizetakes a toll on their joints, and they will usually only live up to 10 years. 

One difficult aspect of owning this breed is that they can be fairly difficult to train. They require a lot of patience and may never come around to be the perfectly obedient dog that you may have wanted. That being said, these dogs are wonderful family pets and will shower you with all the affection that they can offer. They also love playing with children and get along very well with other dogs. Few things in life are as calming as relaxing with your Deerhound on the couch while reading a book or watching a movie.