Questions from an Deerhoundlover and Newbie (1 viewing) (1) Guest
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Soni
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Hi,
it would be very nice, if you might help me/us for to answer some questions. Maybe you read, that in Future my husband and me want to adopt an Deerhound and it can be -prefered- an Deerhound in Need.
To prepare ourself we want to learn as much as we can about this wounderful breed.
Since about 6 years we have a Galga Espanol and a greyhoundgirl. The greyhoundgirl was running in the track of meridiana in Barcelona/Spain and had a reall terrible life before... Her mother was exported from Ireland to Spain. If someone is interested in, can give you the link from greyhounddata.
Before we decided to fulfil our desire for an dog, we have been sure about following points:
It should be: a big one (we are both very tall)
a quite one (don't like dogs always barking)
and it should be an Irish Wolfhound...
The problem was, we are living in an (big) apartement and in frist floor... so IW-Owners informed us, that it will be a big problem for IW's and will not be good precondition for an IW, special because as Puppy can't go stairs and when he is older, same problem. Also the medial (average) lifespan is very low (averaged about 5-6 years)... and a lot of problems with heart, bones and joints and of course bloats(stomach torsions)..
So we decided for our Galga and 3 month later our Greyhoundgirl, both rescues.
In meantime we have good experience in Sighthounds and of course in this what sighthounds are: Quite, absolutly loveable, cuddly, beloved.... and not to forget: Hunters... 
We are lucky to life in verge of Munich and closed to the famous "English Garden".
So we have plenty places, where sighthounds can run - without to get in contact to rabbits, deers, harts, squirrels....
and we have a very good dogtrainer, specialised in Hounds and Sighthounds. She is grown up with Hounds and has a lot of experience, and she always look to the human first... and behold the dogs as a whole (life before, illness, general conditions..). From her we learned so much (special about how to speak gentle with an dog, how to give signals without speaking.... etc) to do an ultimate "Callback" and it works very good. Even our Greyhoundgirl who is an really big Hunter..., she brake her run to deers and turned back to us... Not to much sighthounds can do this... But for to work this ultimate callback, it also mean exercising, exercising and practice (of course without games... (deers,...)
Now back to the actual questions... special to you, having deerhounds and galgo/greyhounds:
- What the difference between Deerhounds and Greyhounds?
- Are Deerhounds "bigger" Hunters?
- Are they susceptible for special or general illness?
- How is their medial lifespan?
- Are the susceptible for bloats
- Do they commit (adhere) much or less to their people?
- What will be necessary for to adopt/get an Deerhound from UK/Scotland/Ireland to
Germany?
Homecheck every time welcome and can be checked/proofed. If you need References before, no problem - you can get everything you want: From our vets, vet-hospital, and special where I'm a member of: Greyhoundprotection, Scooby/Spain, Sighthound-Welfare Trust SWT/UK.
Of course would come to UK/Ireland/Scottland to take the "Longnose" for Munich.
Thanks so much and every requestions, opinions, advices are welcome.
Soni
If I have more questions, will write again... Sorry for to write so much... Thank you very much for your Attention. 
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Lurch8252
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You could always look on www.kilbournedeerhounds.com, this is a fantastic site, which is also very informative on lots of things re Deerhounds.
Yes Deerhounds have hunting instincts that are strong, we've never taught ours to hunt, he just does it all by himself.
Please read the above website on health issues etc.
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Deerhoundlady
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I personally do not think you can raise a Deerhound puppy in the PROPER way unless you have at least a LARGE garden. They need to run and play at will and without access to a play area that is not possible. How do you house train a puppy that cannot go outside when it needs to?. I know of one Deerhound pup that lived in an apartment and her Conformation when she was an adult was horrible, Easty Westy Front, cow hocks and no proper muscling. I think you need to ask yourself if it's fair to a large breed Sighthound to live cooped up in an apartment before you buy one.
Just my opinion and I'm sure there will be others with different experiences.
Joan.
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Lurch8252
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Any dog needs a garden. I can't imagine how people would cope in flats when the dog needs to go to the toilet, I suppose you have to keep taking them outside?? can't think of anything worse. Drhounds don't really need large gardens if you have somewhere nice to let them run and be off lead, but you would need a garden!
I have a large garden, but they only have half of it, for runs we go to th fields or golf course. The other half is for the kids as it is pooh free!
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cassandra1260
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Cassandra and "Zippo' - (HollyroodHoundstounge)
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Well....where to start. Soni..congratulations on your willingness to learn all you can about this incredible - wonderful, loving breed. Sighthounds in general are a very special creature. Over the last 27 years I have had many Afghans, Borzoi ( 1 Silky Terrier or is that Terror?) and now...the man of the hour...a Scottish Deerhound. Previously I lived opn 40 acres...to accomadate both the dogs (usually we had 12 or 13) Arabian horse - 10 or so...and of course..a handful of
angora goats, and a dairy goat...treat for the pups. Unfortunately....a few years back my health took a very nasty turn and I am no longer able to live a half hour outside of the city...need to be very close to a hospital and my medical team. So, I am sadly renting out the farm, and renting a townhouse in the city. I only have a large deck, and small yard BUT...on either side of me is a large school yard & park One is fully fenced w/ chain link, the other has a community park, playground and football field. Zippo & I go out to the fields probably 5 or 6 times a day, and then go for short walks, and to the dog park in early evening. He is not suffering at all..in fact, looks fantastic...When I was breeding Borzoi, I've sold pups to a woman in New York...imo, I would rather see a sighthound in an apt and being walked and cared for rather than having it left in huge yard...to entertain itself. I'm certain many feel otherwise, but after all these years...and all the dogs...the most important thing is one on one contact, love, devotion and a willingness to make sure the animals needs are all met. you will know in your heart what will work best for you....it makes no sense to me for someone who would make an awesome home...not to partake in the joy of a sighthound vs...waiting until one can afford the home of their dreams and a yard to match..then working so often the dog is left aloner..hmmmm
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Brice
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Hi .... I am novice deerhound owner living in a small house with a small garden. Until recently I had 2 Epagneul Breton, 1 English Springer, 1 Welsh Springer and a larger than life Deerhound living with me, all entire males and 3 of the dogs actively working or training for shooting.
I spend an awful lot of time on my boys (sadly now 3 but still the deerhound ) and ensure all have adequate free running, sadly as one is a chaser, one a flushing dog and one a pointing breed I end up doing three runs as I don't want any 'ruining' the skills of each breed. What I am saying is, where there is a will there is a way and I do know people who live in less than ideal homes having very fulfilled pets.
I add to this however a large proviso. Like IW's deerhounds should not be doing stairs as a matter of routine until they are skeltally mature, certainly in Brice's case he was too scared of the stairs to venture up until he was nearly 2. He would very quickly have been too big to carry and as the stairs rise out of my living room and are not barricaded he had ample opportunity if he had been inclined to try.
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Sue, Brice and the gundog gang
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Lurch8252
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But you have a garden, you couldn't get away with that large brood in a flat! You'd never get any peace when one wanted a toilet!
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houndy
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I agree with Cassandra. I have a garden and could just let them play in that but I take my hounds out a minimum of 3 times a day. I believe in taking them to a variety of places and what Cassandra says about the 1-1 quality time is so important.
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Soni
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Good Morning,
thank you for all your answers, also of course the critical ones. That is what I want. Open meanings and opinions.
For to complete my Profil and understanding me or my background better, I have to let you know also, that at the moment we life in an flat - 1st floor. But we will change into a House or Apartement with garden - not only because thinking about an deerhound (not before next year) because also my "girls" are getting older and it will be difficulter to move on stairs. Of course I also teached them to use the Elevator with me and this is no problem , but it will be easier for them not to use stairs. Anyway also to let you know, we are living at a nice Park and we are just 10 min. away from Englisch Garden and this is a very big Park across München and whenever we have time, walking there - Saturday and Sunday we are there often already at 6/7am. 
Have a Look here: maps.google.de/
Then you must write: München, Englischer Garten
With our "girls" we are walking 4/5-times a day. Morning, at 6/6:30pm, about 12:30/13pm, next about 17/17:30h pm and the last walk in the evening: 22:00/23:00pm. If one of my girls has diarrhoe I get up all night every hour if necessary...
My Galga is old now, about 12-/13 years. She is very sick with hip dysplasia and cox-athrosis (pains) and an chronical enteritis. She can walk only short distances, no problem - we are walking more times, at variety places. My greygirl had a broken (right behind) ankle from the Track in Barcelona and Leishmaniosis. It never was concerned/covered there through any vet in Spain. Because of her leishmaniosis for a long time we coudn't let her operated - no more than 1,5 years ago, because her blood-test-results were ok then. In the early times I always was walking with them in English Garden. The could run like they want and you all know, that sighthounds at home are really lazy and quite. I do everything for them and my hounds are happy, you can believe. We also started mantrailing with both and you can't believe, how good they are to find me or my husbands only about our traces (tracks). They were so fast and so happy, when they found us...
That people have a house with garden, is not a quarantee for happy dogs. I know a few people with dogs, they just let them into the garden and don't do any walks or fun together. I don't take anything easy, I'm caring for my dogs. We do our walks interesting for the dogs, even Paloma can't really walk. We show them interesting places... stop suddenly and show them: look look whats over here... (before we conceal some cheese or some other treats). We took and take them to every holiday we do. Either on the northsee or to Austria. They are always with us. In the mountains, we are together for treking and into gorges, to lakes....
And I think this one can do also with an deerhound. To give him fun, to do man-
trailing, walks, to show him a big variaty of places and other animals, to learn him things, to take him to holidays and to give him many interesting impressions and of course, to give him love and make him happy and statisfied. Isn't?
Best wishes and regards
Sonja
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KimC
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Hello Sonja.
A deerhound in the home does not take up much place. A long walk is OK but what they need is to be able to run. Not along with you on a bicycle, because you wont feel comfortable at that speed. Deerhounds, as other hounds need to be allowed to rum off the leash in an area that is suitable for such, that means better without fast small animals. They dont need to run fo rhours, my borzoi is done after 2 minutes, a deerhound is the most endurable of the hounds and needs more.
If it is Ok to have a deerhound living on frst floor. If you have the ambients to walk the dogs and let them run offleash, it will work. But a young (or old) hound, no matter of what kind should not walk stairs. Carrying a galgo up and down the stairs several times a day may work, a deerhound is heavier.
OK, you are planning to move, and I undestand the idea of that. Basically, if you get well along with greys and galgos, you wil also get along with deerhounds.
There are different breed lines some are more hunting minded, some lines have large risk of bloat, while others reach quite high ages. Finding the right lines may take some time of investigation and small talk among deerhound owners and lovers.
A garden is good, and my dogs love the garden, but a garden alone cant do the job alone, unless it is very large. Large enugh to allow the deerhounds to speed up to full speed - which usualy is beyound the speed limit allowed for cars in the city
Feel free to ask more, if you want.
Life quality for a deerhound looks like this.
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KimC
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Hello Sonja.
A deerhound in the home does not take up much place. A long walk is OK but what they need is to be able to run. Not along with you on a bicycle, because you wont feel comfortable at that speed. Deerhounds, as other hounds need to be allowed to rum off the leash in an area that is suitable for such, that means better without fast small animals. They dont need to run fo rhours, my borzoi is done after 2 minutes, a deerhound is the most endurable of the hounds and needs more.
If it is Ok to have a deerhound living on frst floor. If you have the ambients to walk the dogs and let them run offleash, it will work. But a young (or old) hound, no matter of what kind should not walk stairs. Carrying a galgo up and down the stairs several times a day may work, a deerhound is heavier.
OK, you are planning to move, and I undestand the idea of that. Basically, if you get well along with greys and galgos, you wil also get along with deerhounds.
There are different breed lines some are more hunting minded, some lines have large risk of bloat, while others reach quite high ages. Finding the right lines may take some time of investigation and small talk among deerhound owners and lovers.
A garden is good, and my dogs love the garden, but a garden alone cant do the job alone, unless it is very large. Large enugh to allow the deerhounds to speed up to full speed - which usualy is beyound the speed limit allowed for cars in the city
Feel free to ask more, if you want.
Life quality for a deerhound looks like this.
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KimC
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Last Edit: 2 years, 9 months ago by KimC.
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Soni
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Hi Kim,
I go along with your opinion. But I never would get the Idea to run my deerhound with me on a bicycle... not a deerhound, not any dog. There are other possibilies to make an dog happy. A deerhound have to run free with speed and of course, we have possibilities to let him do this. Of course I know, that they don't need to run for hours... but they need to run, when they like.
And as I wrote, we will change into a big flat in grand floor and garden or a house with garden. I know that youg deerhouns or puppies as well older or ill hounds aren't able to take stairs and of course I know, that a deerhound has more weight than a Galgo (even my girlies with 25/26kgs are to heavy for me, sometimes) . And of course I know the history of deerhounds and they are really hunting minded.
But I also have a Greygirl, which is a big hunter.. every small animal or any moves she look at... she is starring and want to hunt... I have some strategy to let her know, that she can't hunt everything. When she look at a squirrel and is screaming of bother and agitation, I'm showing her that I'm so happy that she showed me the squirrel and in this moment I have her advertence and she get a treat... Of course I do this very extreme... but it works. And on places with a lot of small animals we don't go or if it is no other possibility, she stay on the lash and next time we find other places she can run.
I'm sure we can handle a deerhound, with all Necessities he need. And when time comes,
will ask for an rescue deerhound. Therefore please let me also know, what will be necessary from the organisations with "Deerhounds in Need", for to adopt an Deerhound to Germany.
Thank you very much!
Soni
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Brollachan
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- What the difference between Deerhounds and Greyhounds?
According to the standard the Deerhound should resemble a greyhound but of larger size (and of course hairier Their temperaments are similar though some greys are more flighty than deerhounds
- Are Deerhounds "bigger" Hunters?
Not necessarily. Most sighthounds have prey-drive but some more than others. It can be very individual within the breed.
- Are they susceptible for special or general illness?
Deerhounds are a giant breed and are therefore susceptible to those ailments. Specific "possible" health problems in DH's include Cardiomyopathy, Oesteosarcoma, and Bloat just to name a few.
- How is their medial lifespan?
Average lifespan 6-9 years but this has increased and it is not uncommon seeing hounds reach the 10-12 year mark
- Are the susceptible for bloats
Yes
- Do they commit (adhere) much or less to their people?
Deerhounds are very loyal and loving to their family
- What will be necessary for to adopt/get an Deerhound from UK/Scotland/Ireland to
Germany?
This one I can't answer
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KimC
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The restrictions are normally complicated when travelling to Britain, the other way depends on the country you are going to. I would avoid planes.
There are also reasonable breeders in Germany and Switerlandm might be easier to pop by and have a talk with them.
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Soni
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@ Brollachan :
Thank you sooo much for to answers! Exactly answers for my exact answers!!!
Thats very nice of you!!! Thank you. And your answers confirm my actuell knowledge and
opinion about deerhounds.
@ Kim:
thank you so much for your answers, too. Because I can't fly, we should come by car,
stay 3 weeks there, to meet and walk and learn about the deerhound and then to take
him with us. Have a big car, so a comfortable Journey will not be a problem . And our "best man", and a cousin of my husband, and some further friends we have in GB, will help us for and journey with enough breaks and rests. The "import" to Germany will be no problem, it isn't as hard, like to get your dog to UK.
Yes I know about the breaders in Germany and Switzerland. But there you can find
in every deerhound or IW a special breed.... and this I don't like - even because of several more reasons.
A further problem also is, you can't find rescue deerhounds. Mostly you only get an e deerhound or IW only, if you go with them all the time to shows or to coursings or you have to leave them your dog for "breeding". A past friend of mine once said, in germany you never will get an IW or deerhound, if you don't go to shows, coursing or let him for breed.... so my reason for UK, Ireland or Scottland.
And if you know a adress, where to find sometimes Deerhounds in need, please let me know.
Thanks so much and best regards
Soni
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KimC
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Well, you want a deerhound from the "source" and that is your decision. A ride in a compfortable car wont be that big challenge to a young puppy. And if you can combine it with a holiday, just go for it.
I should mention that my deerhound is from Germany, and I was never asked to participate in shows or coursing, even if Pentis breeder is very active in cursing and pays much attention to this. My boy is not one I would need to hide at a dog show, but I simply dont go there. When I talked to the breeder before he came here, I made it clear that he was meant to become a companion dog, and it was no problem. So it is possible.
You may find that continental breeders breed more specific on certain parameters than breeders in britain who may be more traditional in keping the deerhound in its original state.
It is my impression that the breeder of my young boy weighs cursing abilities and health higher than show qualities. Others breed show dogs and give buy on other parameters.
There are two major german rescue organisations IWI and WiN. It happens very rarely that they have a deerhound or lurcher but these dogs usually get rehomed very fast. There is also one i Switzerland but i dont remember the name.
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cassandra1260
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Cassandra and "Zippo' - (HollyroodHoundstounge)
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Kim C...that picture ( on red couch) is soooo funny. I would really love it if you could email me a copy.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Were you waiting long for that pose?? Great pic..
Thank You
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verenav
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Though I think a deerhound can live a good life in a city and be happy - and , having lived in Munich for many , many years - I do know and love the " Englischer Garten " , my dachshunds had many a good hunt in there , I alo truly believe, that the birthright of any sighthound is to run ( and hunt !!!) freely and on a daily basis - Deerhounds do need some space to reach their full speed and they should be able do so regularly/daily , especially as younger /growing ones . I could not imagine walking happily/ relaxed with more than 1 sighthound off leash in a city park , not even the big one in Munich . I always think , trying to train the preydrive/desire to hunt( which they reall should have ) out of them is the same as trying to teach a wolf or a cat not to hunt , in the end : impossible and against their nature . So , if I lived in a city I personally wouldn't have them , or older rescues perhaps - or , I would at least see to give them the opportuinty to try lurecoursing as some form of a replacement for the real deal , I believe , they do need some form of ( " good " ) adrenaline rush to stay really healthy and happy , as any huntress/huntress will need .
OK , there are , unfortunately ? , quite a few out tere who do not want to chase anymore , but the majority still does and needs it , too.
As to getting a dh in Germany or England - my youngest ist Penti's sister , also from Germany of course - and she came with no rules whatsoever ; in Germeny might not exist an official " breed rescue " , but there are regularly deerhounds who need a new home. Still , in the end it doesn't matter where she/he comes from - they will make themselves right away at home in your heart .
I live , in BC/Canada , with Deerhounds from Canada , Denmark,England and Germany and I enjoy them all
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