Scottish Deerhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison

Scottish Deerhound vs English Coonhound - Breed ComparisonScottish Deerhound is originated from United Kingdom but English Coonhound is originated from United States. Scottish Deerhound may grow 12 cm / 5 inches higher than English Coonhound. Scottish Deerhound may weigh 20 kg / 45 pounds more than English Coonhound. Scottish Deerhound may live 3 years less than English Coonhound. Scottish Deerhound may have more litter size than English Coonhound. Both Scottish Deerhound and English Coonhound requires Low maintenance.

History

scottish deerhound - historyThe 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.

english coonhound - historyThe interesting thing about the English Coonhound is that he originated in the United States, in the southern states. It is also called the American English Coonhound and recognized as such by the AKC. Its ancestry however is British coming from the hunting hounds- the Foxhounds- that were brought to the United States from England in the 17th and 18th centuries and were the base for the Virginia Hounds. These hounds came from dogs that were imported for George Washington, Thomas Walker and Robert Brooke. These Virginia Hounds were then developed into the English Coonhound.

A dog was needed that could handle the rougher terrain of the United States and hunt American Red Fox and racoons. Interestingly it was England, through the UKC, that first recognized the breed in 1905, labeling it the English Fox and Coonhound. The AKC recognized it in 2011.

Development of this group of hounds continued when the Treeing Walker Coonhound was split off as its own breed in 1945, and the Bluetick Coonhound followed in 1946. The English Coonhound can tree a prey or corner it until the hunter arrives. They hunt in packs or they can work one on one with the hunter. Either way they excel at finding and holding their prey “at bay”.

Description

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.

english coonhound puppy - descriptionThe English Coonhound is a medium sized dog with a domed head and a deep chest. His build is very athletic. He has dark eye and low-hung ears. The coats of the English Coonhound are extremely variable. For the most part there are three distinct types – the Redtick, the Tricolor and the Bluetick. They can be in any of these categories and have ticking of any color. The most predominate of this group is the Red. So, predominate is the red that the breed is often called the Redtick Coonhound by many.

Characteristics

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.

english coonhound dog - characteristicsThe English Coonhound is quiet when at home and loud when hunting. They love to cuddle up on a couch and they are great pets. However, they still have a very high prey drive and need a lot of exercise as previously mentioned. They love kids and will be very loyal, hoping to please you all the time. They are curious and if left alone can be destructive. They can also be stubborn and strong willed, and they will howl when caged. If you are going to crate them, train them to it from 3 months on.

Health Problems

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.

english coonhound puppies - health problemsThe English Coonhound is an exceptionally hardy breed. The only serious situation they regularly face is Bloat. Bloat appears when the dog eats a large meal too fast after exercising or eats too large a meal before exercising. What happens in bloat is the stomach is distended and the intestine can wrap around vital organs and kill the dog.

Breeders do test for elbow and hip dysplasia but the is not a lot of this in the breed.

Caring The Pet

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

Feeding

english coonhound dogs - caringWhen feeding your English Coonhound be aware that this athlete loves to eat. You have to keep him from growing obese as his tendency to overeat is high. He uses a lot of energy on the hunt so if he is a hunting dog perhaps he needs more calories. Be careful when and how you feed him so that he won’t get bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American English Coonhound is a very hearty breed and its most serious issue is Bloat. However, they also have long, floppy ears.

Exercise and games

Because they were bred to hunt they need a lot of daily exercise. Jogging, brisk walking, or playing at t dog park are good activities for him. If they don’t get enough energy they become high strung and can engage in destructive behavior. Don’t let them off leash as they might wander off after any scent they capture. They love to chase a ball and you’ll wear out before they do. He might be good at lure chasing.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
76 - 81 cm
29 - 32 inches
56 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
Height Female:
71 - 76 cm
27 - 30 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
39 - 50 kg
85 - 111 pounds
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
34 - 43 kg
74 - 95 pounds
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
Life Span:
8 - 9 Years
11 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
14 - 15
4 - 6
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Deerhound
American English Coonhound; Redtick Coonhound
Colors Available:
gray, brindle, red, Blue, fawn, yellow
bluetick, redtick, and a tricolor tick pattern
Coat:
wiry
short, harsh
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Docile, Friendly, Gentle, Sweet
Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Loving, Loyal, Quiet, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Hungarian Vizsla vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  4. Redbone Coonhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Elkhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Santal Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. English Coonhound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  8. English Coonhound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  9. English Coonhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. English Coonhound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. English Coonhound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  12. English Coonhound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  13. English Coonhound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  14. English Coonhound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  15. English Coonhound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  16. English Coonhound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  17. English Coonhound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  18. English Coonhound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  19. English Coonhound vs Beago - Breed Comparison
  20. English Coonhound vs Chinese Chongqing Dog - Breed Comparison
  21. English Coonhound vs Combai - Breed Comparison
  22. English Coonhound vs Cretan Hound - Breed Comparison
  23. English Coonhound vs Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound - Breed Comparison
  24. English Coonhound vs Briquet Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  25. English Coonhound vs Cirneco dell'Etna - Breed Comparison
  26. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Scottish Deerhound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  28. Scottish Deerhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  29. Scottish Deerhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  30. Scottish Deerhound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  31. Scottish Deerhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Scottish Deerhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. Scottish Deerhound vs Newfoundland Dog - Breed Comparison
  34. Scottish Deerhound vs Neapolitan Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  35. Scottish Deerhound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Scottish Deerhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Scottish Deerhound vs Leonberger - Breed Comparison
  38. Scottish Deerhound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  39. Scottish Deerhound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  40. Scottish Deerhound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Scottish Deerhound vs Mountain Burmese - Breed Comparison
  42. Scottish Deerhound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  43. Scottish Deerhound vs Pyrenean Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  44. Scottish Deerhound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  45. Scottish Deerhound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  46. Scottish Deerhound vs Moscow Watchdog - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds