Both these hounds seem to have so much in common, from their scraggly looks to their tall heights. But which pup is more graceful and dignified can only be determined by a detailed analysis of every aspect of these good-natured hounds. If it were a battle of the tallest, then the Irish Wolfhound would have already been crowned with glory.
But it is a battle between Ireland and Scotland, and we are here to find grace, sophistication, and allure. Quite a shocking competition for such stately hunting hounds, on one side is a deer hunter, and on the other, an Irish elk and wolf hunter. Let’s delve into the details, cause it is going to be really close.
Scottish Deerhound vs. Irish Wolfhound: Which Is More Graceful?
Key Differences Between the Two Giant Breeds: The Gentle and Quick-Witted vs. the Calm and Dignified
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Irish Wolfhound |
Scottish Deerhound | |
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Size |
30-36 inches tall; 130-160 pounds |
30-32 inches tall; 75-110 pounds |
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Appearance |
Tall and muscular, with a strong neck, legs, forequarters, and hindquarters. It has a longer, slightly curved tail. The IW’s ears are small and greyhound-like in carriage. |
A leaner similar to a Greyhound, with a larger bone structure and size. It has a deep chest that isn’t too narrow and a long, tapering tail that almost reaches the ground. The ears are set on high, folded back, and raised above the head in excitement without losing the fold, in some cases semi-erect. |
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Ancestry |
Originating as long ago as 700 BC, used primarily in Ireland to fight off wolf populations from farmland |
Originated further back than the 16th century, though the date is unclear; used to hunt large Scottish red deer |
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Behavior |
Extremely even-tempered and gentle; nonvocal and good with children, though not an ideal guard dog due to their serene nature. Happiest with daily human companionship and is an intelligent and calming presence within their family. Capable hunting dog, though it may need a bit more hands-on training than other breeds. It should never be left unattended outside. They get along with other dogs |
Graceful, calm, and capable. Loves their family, and is friendly to strangers, though not particularly excitable. It is agile, quick-witted, and easy-going will return an owner’s affection and care. Very dignified and polite, adapts well to a variety of situations. Though it may need more exercise than the average wolfhound. It is sensitive to human emotions, so a calm and consistent owner is a must. It is more sensitive to being alone and does not get along with other pets. |
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Life Span |
6-8 years |
8-11 years |
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Health Issues |
Bloat, Hip Dysplasia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and Heart diseases like Dilated Cardiomyopathy |
Bloat, Allergies, Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer), Hypothyroidism, and Dilated Cardiomyopathy. |
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Ideal for |
Colder Climates |
Those sensitive to extreme temperatures should not be left outside in extreme cold or warmer climates |
Breed Origins and Ancestral Background
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is believed to have originated in ancient Egypt, where they were originally bred to hunt gazelles and other small game. They were later brought to Scotland by the Celts, who used them for hunting deer and other large game.
According to the Continental Kennel Club, the Scottish Deerhound has been known for centuries as the Scotch Greyhound, Rough Greyhound, and Highland Deerhound. According to history, the Scottish Deerhound became an identified breed in the 16th and 17th centuries.
This pup was originally used for the pursuit and killing of the giant 400-pound wild red deer with piercing antlers, and at that time, could not be owned by someone who had a rank lower than an Earl.
Britannica mentions that the Scottish Deerhound is also called “The Royal Dog of Scotland” and is believed to have been in Scotland even before the Scots arrived in the 9th century. These pups were popular with royals and nobleman, and their ownership restrictions brought them close to extinction on many occasions.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that the fanciers of the breed stepped in to save this dog. This dog also sailed to America in this era, and was the first Deerhound. Nowadays, this Scottish breed is still a rare sight to be seen and is only really enjoyed by patriotic Scots and sighthound lovers.
Irish Wolfhound
On the other hand, one of the earliest recorded references to the Irish Wolfhound can be found in Roman records dating back to 391 A.D. These pooches were originally called Cú, or Cú Faoil, meaning hound or wolf dogs. They were also used as royal gifts; they hunted with their masters and fought beside them in battles.
PetMD notes these Irish pups were also used to guard their castles. After a hard day’s work, they played with their children and lay beside the fire as family friends.
These fierce hunters of wolves and over-sized Irish elk were so good at their job that they made their prey disappear from Ireland, and faced hard times. By the 19th century, very few Irish Wolfhounds were left in their native country.
Physical Size and Proportions
The Scottish Deerhound typically weighs between 75 to 110 pounds, while the Irish Wolfhound usually weighs from 90 to 140 pounds and can even reach up to 180 pounds.
Omlet says the crisply coated Scottish Deerhound is a majestic and large hound struck from the ancient Greyhound template. It has a tapered head, a long neck, and an elongated muzzle. It has a lanky and tall frame covered in long, wiry hair, coupled with floppy ears and kind eyes. It has longer legs than the Wolfhound and comes in very few colors, mostly darker shades.
The Irish Wolfhound is a colossal charmer that is generally taller and heavier than the Scottish Deerhound. This immense hound is gracefully built along the Greyhound lines and is capable of great speed at a gallop, and stands among the fastest dogs out there.
A male might stand nearly 3 feet at the shoulder. It also has a tall, lanky frame covered in a wiry coat, floppy ears, and a wise face. This fearless big game hunter is the tallest of all AKC breeds.
Coat, Color, and Overall Appearance
The coat of the Scottish Deerhound is harsh and wiry, about 3-4 inches in length. It is harsher on the body, neck, beard, mustache, and mane, and is softer on the head, chest, and belly.
It is available in a variety of colors, including grey, brindle, black, yellow, and sandy red or red fawn, sometimes with black ears and muzzle. But breed aficionados prefer the dark blue-grey coat.
On the other hand, the coat of the Irish Wolfhound is also wiry but can come in a variety of colors, including gray, brindle, black, red, fawn, and pure white.
Moreover, the American Kennel Club says the key difference between these two hunting dogs is in their coat texture, where the Irish wolfhound is sraggly, the Scottish deerhound is scruffy.
Temperament and Behavioral Traits
The Scottish Deerhounds are very sensitive, one-family dogs that are friendly but not gregarious toward strangers. These pups are quite hopeless as watchdogs or protection dogs, according to Hill’s Pet Nutrition. You need a little distance to appreciate the majesty of this ancient beast, which is a rare and distinct breed.
While on the other side of the world, the Irish Wolfhound is a majestic companion with a blend of gentleness, loyalty, and subtle independence. They have a calm demeanor, a sensitive attitude, and a social nature, and deserve an owner who understands and appreciates these qualities.
These pooches that were once known for hunting wolves are nowadays the most agreeable and serene companions. They are too serene to be fierce guard dogs, but their massive sight is enough to deter intruders.
The Scottish Deerhound’s temperament is described as gentle, polite, and dignified by the AKC, while the Irish Wolfhound’s temperament is calm and courageous, and patient. Both breeds are known for their gentle nature and tend to be good with children.
Average Lifespan and Longevity
The average lifespan of the Scottish Deerhound is 8 to 11 years, while the Irish Wolfhound averages 6 to 9 years. Both these dogs have shorter lifespans than other large dogs due to their health issues and large size. But the Deerhound is longer lived than the Irish Wolfhound.
Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Management
Don’t feed this royal hound just plain kibble
The best diet for a Scottish Deerhound is one that is nutritionally balanced according to their age and energy needs. Typically, a combination of high-quality proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and fibre from vegetables and berries works best.
This Hunter with a dignified demeanor deserves a high-end gourmet meal
Similarly, an Irish Wolfhound should also be provided with a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of protein sources, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, essential vitamins, and minerals to ensure the optimal health and well-being of your Irish Wolfhound.
Ideally, an adult Wolfhound should not be fed too much food that he cannot burn off if he’s not active enough. About 3-4 meals are enough to keep this puppy nourished.
Both breeds require regular exercise to maintain their health and happiness. Both breeds can adapt to various living situations, but prefer homes with large yards and ample space where they can roam and sprint freely.
The Sprinting Champion
The Scottish Deerhound is known for its hunting ability and is often seen at lure coursing events. They need about 1.5 to 2 hours of exercise daily because of their moderate to high energy needs.
Daily walks, runs, or play sessions in a fenced yard. They need physically and mentally stimulating activities, along with regular moderate exercise regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Laid-Back Pooches with Short Bursts of Energy
An Irish Wolfhound should receive about 30-60 minutes of exercise broken into two or more sessions. You can divide it into morning and evening walks. The goal is to keep their muscles toned and joints flexible without putting extra strain on their large frames to avoid health problems.
Grooming Needs and Allergy Potential
The Scottish Deerhound has minimal grooming needs. Regular brushing is recommended; just use a bristle brush or rubber curry brush to remove loose fur and maintain their wiry coat. Moreover, an occasional bath might make the Deerhound’s coat softer than desirable. But it also removes dust, dirt, and doggy odor and brings out a healthy shine and true color.
The Scottish Deerhound is not considered hypoallergenic and can trigger allergies in some individuals. Although they shed moderately, they produce dander, which can affect allergy sufferers.
On the other hand, the Irish Wolfhounds do not require any special skin care either. The double coat of the Irish Wolfhound sheds a moderate amount, and it doesn’t have a seasonal period of shedding like other dog breeds do.
Weekly brushing is recommended to remove loose fur and debris. The coat should be brushed a couple of times per week, and dead hair should be stripped (pulled) out twice a year.
Although it has a low-shedding coat, the Irish Wolfhound is not hypoallergenic and can trigger allergic reactions due to its dander and saliva. While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, allergy sufferers should avoid adopting this pup.
Common health issues for both breeds include bloat, heart disease, and joint problems like hip dysplasia.
Conclusion
On an ending note, while both these dog breeds are of great size and many dog fanciers believe these pups, the Old Irish Wolfhound and the Highland Deerhound, are not only similar in form or nature, but they are two strains of an identical breed altered only in size and environment.
When Vikings invaded both Scotland and Ireland, they presumably interbred the two strains of these dog breeds, both for sport and to give as gifts to various kings. So these dogs may be very closely related to each other.
These gentle giants are both equipped with an affectionate nature and are quite well-behaved. Both these dogs also have a high prey drive and will often be found chasing small animals due to their rich history of hunting large game. They are both difficult to get and are expensive.
Moreover, even though graceful is a subjective term, these two breeds of gentle giants with rough coats are equally graceful and sophisticated. But if you want a laid-back companion who might be big in size but more docile in temperament, choose the Irish Wolfhound, and if you want a more active and agile pup that is a bit more manageable in size, go for the Scottish Deerhound.
