Scottish Deerhound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison

Scottish Deerhound vs Estonian Hound - Breed ComparisonEstonian Hound is originated from Estonia but Scottish Deerhound is originated from United Kingdom. Estonian Hound may grow 29 cm / 11 inches shorter than Scottish Deerhound. Estonian Hound may weigh 30 kg / 66 pounds lesser than Scottish Deerhound. Estonian Hound may live 6 years more than Scottish Deerhound. Estonian Hound may have less litter size than Scottish Deerhound. Estonian Hound requires Moderate Maintenance. But Scottish Deerhound requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Estonia
United Kingdom
Height Male:
42 - 52 cm
16 - 21 inches
76 - 81 cm
29 - 32 inches
Height Female:
40 - 50 cm
15 - 20 inches
71 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
39 - 50 kg
85 - 111 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 19 kg
28 - 42 pounds
34 - 43 kg
74 - 95 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
8 - 9 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
14 - 15
Size:
Medium
Giant
Other Names:
Estonian Scenthound, Gontchaja Estonskaja
Deerhound
Colors Available:
tan with black patches or blackish brown with red patches
gray, brindle, red, Blue, fawn, yellow
Coat:
short, rough coat
wiry
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Energetic, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal
Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

estonian houndIn 1947, the Estonian Hound was developed and remains today the only pure breed ever developed in Estonia. At that time the national economic minister of the Soviet Union declared that every country in the USSR must have a national dog breed. Thus, the Estonian Hound and the Estonian Kennel Union were born. The Kennel Union is currently seeking breed recognition from the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale.

The Estonian Hound came from breeding local Estonian hunting dogs with several different breeds of foreign dogs. The Soviet decree also established that hunting dogs had to be no more than 17 inches high. This result in a hunting dog with great agility and drive that is extremely popular in now inependent Estonia. It is the national dog.

scottish deerhoundThe Scottish Deerhound is considered the Royal Dog of Scotland. It is a sighthound that is large and bred to hunt large Red Deer. They are similar in appearance to the Greyhound, but they are bigger and heavier. Closely related to the Irish Wolfhound, they were used in creating it. The Scottish Deerhound is an ancient breed that is now very rare. It can trace its lineage to the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Deerhound was a favorite of hunting nobility and could not be kept by any person or household that did not have at least the rank of earl. Despite this history the Scottish Deerhound was not considered separate from the Highland Greyhound and other staghounds until the 19th century. They were bred to stalk or “course” the red deer and were used extensively for this purpose until the beginning of the 20th century. At that time there was a need for smaller, slower deer tracking dogs.

At the start of the 20th century, the land for deer hunting had grown smaller and so had the deer. Also, the invention of the rifle made the fast Deerhounds who could cover large tracks of ground in minutes, no longer a necessity for successful hunting. As the clan systems fell and the nobility rose, the Deerhounds became the dog for nobility and landowners. There were a few non-nobilities who also kept them and hunted with them. As they were less needed for hunting a few households kept them as show dogs.

In the United States and Canada, both the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound were used for hunting wolves and deer. In Australia, the Kangaroo Dog – a deerhound crossbreed, and Deerhounds were used to hunt wild boar, emu and kangaroos. The Deerhound is one of the oldest of the breeds that are Greyhound-like. The Deerhound is not as fast as the Greyhound if they are running on a smooth surface. Get them on a rough surface and the will out that Greyhound. They appear to be larger and rougher than they really are. This gives them an advantage over the lighter, smaller Greyhound.

The Deerhound was a contributor to development of the Irish Wolfhound toward the end of the 19th century.

Description

estonian hound puppy - descriptionThe Estonian Hound is a strong, muscular body of medium size, with well-developed muscles and strong bones. It has a straight muzzle and skull with defined eyebrows and long drop ears. They have black noses and dark eyes. Their back is wide and straight, and their chest is deep and wide. They have skin that is tight with no wrinkles or folds anywhere.

The Estonian Hound is double coated, but the undercoat is not well developed. The top coat is rough, short and shiny. The tail has a thick covering of hair. The color is usually white with red patches, black or brown patches or yellow patches.

scottish deerhound puppy - descriptionThe Scottish Deerhound looks a lot like the Greyhound, except it is heavily boned and larger in size. The Deerhound is also different in several other ways. Instead of the Greyhound, the Scottish Deerhound is more closely related to the Irish Wolfhound than the Deerhound. The Deerhound is a large, rough coated breed. It is a very tall breed; in fact, it is the tallest of all sighthounds.

The Deerhound has a long head with a flat skull and a muzzle that tapers at the end. They have dark eyes and a scissor bite with a tail that can be either curved or straight. The hair on their tails almost touches the ground. The rest of its coat is wiry and harsh with a beard, mustache and mane. The ears are soft and can be either held semi erect or folded against their head. Their coat is gray or grey-blue today but in the past, it might have been brindle, red fawn or yellow.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

estonian hound dog - characteristicsThe Estonian Hound is a happy dog and loves to play with children. He was bred to hunt though and he can get fixated on a scent and knock over a small child.

Special talents

He is a hunting dog with great agility and drive.

Adaptability

He has had to be adaptable through his short history and is now more a companion than a hunting dog. He can live in the city or country.

Learning ability

He is intelligent and trainable. He is lively and energetic and the challenge might be keeping his attention long enough to train.

1.Children friendliness – yes but watch out for little ones.

2.Special talents - speed and distance.

3.Adaptability - some but needs space to run.

scottish deerhound dog - characteristics4.Learning ability – intelligent but hunting and running instincts overcome all else.

Health Problems

estonian hound puppies - health problemsWith such a young breed there have not been any studies done on their health or genetic issues. It seems the breed is fairly healthy but there is too little information to really say. Being confined to Estonia there has been little commercial or backyard breeding. He is less likely than most pure breeds to have genetic issues.

It is likely that dogs of his type are at risk for:

Bloat – distended or twisted stomach

Caused by excessive exercise before or after having eaten a large meal. It is suggested that you feed your English Setter twice a day, smaller meals and not right before or after strenuous exercise.

  1. Luxating Patella
  2. Leads to lameness and arthritis
  3. Allergies skin/food
  4. See vet if issues arise
  5. Respiratory allergies - It would be very important to see vet if any breathing issues arise
  6. Joint dysplasia - This could be elbow or hip and can lead to lameness or arthritis

scottish deerhound puppies - health problemsThe Scottish Deerhound does face some serious challenges on the health front. These include:

  • Cardiomyopathy – heart disease.
  • Osteosarcoma – Bone cancer.

• Cystinuria – recessive disorder that causes an inability for cystine to be filtered from the urine.

• Gastric Dilatation Volvulus – otherwise known as bloat and it can be life threatening if not treated quickly.

  • Hypothyroidism – easily treated with medication.
  • Neck pain – if no serious condition – medication can be taken.
  • Factor VII deficiency.
  • Stress is not handled well in this breed.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

estonian hound dogs - caringFeed a high quality dry food made for puppies. Feed ¼ to ½ cup per day in 2-3 meals for the first six months.

Feed 1 to 2 cups in two meals from 6 months to a year or so.

Feeding the adult.

Feed about 2 to 3 cups in two meals.

Points for Good Health

As previously mentioned this seems to be a fairly healthy breed.

Be careful not to feed a large meal before or after exercise due to possibility of bloat.

Check their ears and clean them periodically.

Games and Exercises

The Estonian Hound is a hunting dog and needs a good deal of exercise – at least an hour and a half every day or a long walk if not used for hunting. He is a working dog with a lot of energy and stamina. Don’t let him off leash though or he will follow his nose and take off. He is usually calm and quiet indoors if he gets enough physical and mental stimulation outdoors. He can be destructive and loud, nervous and hyper if he doesn’t. They enjoy Frisbee, agility, tracking and of course hunting.

scottish deerhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy – Feed a high quality large or x large puppy dogfood at least 3-4 times a day. Do not overfeed.

2.Feeding the adult – Feed a high-quality adult large or x large dog food once or twice a day. Do not overfeed.

3.Points for Good Health - Stamina and speed.

4. Games and Exercises – The Deerhound needs plenty of exercise in a safe place where they have plenty of room to run. A small yard or life on a leash are not enough for this energetic breed. Play fetch, course running, Like the Greyhound they will be couch potatoes if you let them but that will hurt their health. Lure Coursing or hare coursing are good. Coyote hunting. Find space where they can run for the joy of running. Never force them to run – like along a bicycle

Comparison with other breeds

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  6. Scottish Deerhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  8. Scottish Deerhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Scottish Deerhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Scottish Deerhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Scottish Deerhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
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  26. Estonian Hound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Estonian Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Estonian Hound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Estonian Hound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Estonian Hound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Estonian Hound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Estonian Hound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Estonian Hound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Estonian Hound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Estonian Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Estonian Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Estonian Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Estonian Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Estonian Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Estonian Hound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Estonian Hound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Estonian Hound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Estonian Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Estonian Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Estonian Hound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Estonian Hound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Estonian Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Estonian Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Estonian Hound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Estonian Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison