The Scottish Deerhound – also known simply as Deerhound – is a large sighthound that was bred to hunt deer. In appearance, the Scottish Deerhound is not too different from a Greyhound but has a shaggy, wiry coat and a heavier bone structure.
This athletic Royal Dog of Scotland can be a lively addition to your home but it is important that you prepare for it financially. Want to know how much a Scottish Deerhound costs? Let us find out!
Scottish Deerhound Price – How Much Does a Scottish Deerhound Cost?
The Scottish Deerhound is a fairly uncommon dog breed in the United States. There are very few dog breeders keeping these dogs. Resultantly, the price of a Scottish Deerhound puppy is quite high – almost $1000 to $3000 depending on the breeder’s reputation.
The total first-year cost of owning a Scottish Deerhound can come to nearly $2200 – on vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc. Most dog owners spend an average of $89.99 a month on caring for big dogs like Deerhounds. Therefore, you can expect the annual cost of owning a Scottish Deerhound (after the first year) to come to $1068. Since the average lifespan of a Deerhound is between 8-11 years, expect the annual cost of raising one to fall between $10,500 and $13,750.
Scottish Deerhounds – Initial Costs
Whether you are purchasing your Deerhound from an AKC-registered breeder or an animal rescue shelter, the fee you pay for purchasing or adopting will impact your initial costs. The cost of your Scottish Deerhound puppy takes into account the time and effort the breeder has put in. Since there are very few breeders of the Scottish Deerhound in the USA, some breeders even have to import their dogs from Scotland. This can also affect your puppy’s price.
In general, expect to pay anywhere between $1000 and $3000 for this dog breed. If you choose to adopt a Scottish Deerhound, you could get one for $200-$600. Note that some shelters charge separately for microchipping, deworming, flea-tick prevention, and spaying or neutering.
The Cost of Basic Supplies
In addition to the puppy price or adoption costs, the initial cost of owning a Deerhound will also include some basic supplies needed to make your pet more comfortable in your home. You can choose to stick to the basics or go for premium products which tend to cost higher.
- Bed or crate – $50 to $500
- Toys and dental chews – $20 to $200
- Leash and collar – $20 to $50
- Food and water bowls – $20 to $50
- Grooming supplies – $20-$150
Health Checks, Vaccinations, and Other Medical Expenses
Your Scottish Deerhound puppy will need several vet visits to ensure that its growth is on track. It will also need several vaccinations in the first year and booster shots in the subsequent years to prevent deadly canine diseases. Other veterinary expenses for your Deerhound include spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, flea and tick prevention, deworming, etc. Here are their approximate costs
- Microchipping – $25 to $50
- Spay/neuter surgery – $100 and $600
- Vaccinations $150-$250 a year
- Preventive medicines – $100 to $500
- Routine veterinary care – $45 to $120 per visit
- Blood tests – $90-$200
- Emergency surgery – $500 to $5000
Scottish Deerhounds are generally healthy dogs (when purchased from a reputed breeder). However, from time to time, some health issues have been seen cropping up in the breed including gastric torsion, cardiomyopathy, and osteosarcoma. These can require thousands of dollars to treat.
Pet insurance can help cover some of these costs. Many pet insurance plans cover routine and preventive care costs as well as accident and emergency costs. Pet insurance for Scottish Deerhounds could cost between $360 and $600 a year.
Scottish Deerhound Dog Food Costs
Quality dog food is a must-have for your Scottish. Your puppy will need dog food formulated for growth while your adult Deerhound will need more of a maintenance diet. In any case, look for premium dog food containing the best ingredients. The food should have the first ingredient as meat – either chicken, fish, lamb, turkey, beef, etc. Avoid dog foods with fillers, preservatives, by-products, and grains such as corn, wheat, and soy. You can choose to feed your Deerhound dry dog food (kibble), canned or wet food, or semi-moist food. Here are some approximate food costs:
- Low-to-medium-quality dog food costs – $30-$75 per month. This brings the average monthly cost to $55 and the annual cost to $600.
- High-quality dog food costs $150 to $300 bringing the monthly average cost to $225. This brings the annual cost of dog food to $2700.
Scottish Deerhound Dog Training Cost
There are several options before you when it comes to training your Deerhound. Group classes are cheaper but with a personal dog trainer, you will get better value for money and more time with the trainer. Here are the average dog training costs in the USA:
- Individual training sessions – $120 to $1500. Your Deerhound will learn several obedience commands and can also get trained for specific behavior issues.
- Group training costs per package – $80 to $200. Here, your puppy will learn commands like Sit, Stay, Lie Down, etc. This is certainly an affordable dog training option but your puppy might not get individual attention from the trainer.
- Stay-and-train services – $500 to $2000 per week. Also known as board-and-train, your puppy will stay with the trainer and get potty trained while also learning basic commands.
- Consultations – An expert dog trainer will visit your home and give you advice on how best to train your pet. These sessions can cost a flat fee of $200-$400.
Other Costs of Owning a Scottish Deerhound
Here are some other costs to factor into your budget planning for your Scottish Deerhound.
- Grooming – Thankfully, the Deerhound’s wiry coat is easy to groom and does not need professional grooming. However, if you choose to take your pet to a pro groomer, expect to pay $30-$50 per session for basic grooming.
- Dog walking, pet sitting, or boarding – If your Scottish Deerhound will be home alone for prolonged periods, it will need someone to let it out for potty. Hiring a dog walker can set you back by almost $400 a month (since most dog walkers charge $10-$30 for a short walk of 30 minutes). Drop-in pet sitters charge around $32 an hour and $60 for overnight pet sitting. If you travel, you can opt to have an amazing friend look after your Scottish or board your dog at the pet hostel for $30-$75 a night.
- Pet deposits for rental units – Most landlords charge between $200 and $400 for potential damages – this price varies from state to state but also depends on the size of the property.
Summary – How Much Does a Scottish Deerhound Cost?
Many people want an exotic breed like a Scottish Deerhound but not everyone stops to think how much they can cost. Your Scottish Deerhound puppy’s price or adoption cost is not the only cost to think about. You’d also spend on veterinary costs, food, and treats, pet insurance, supplies, toys, emergency care, grooming, training, and boarding.
To summarize: the price of a purebred Scottish Deerhound puppy is between $1000 to $3000. The total first-year cost of owning a Scottish Deerhound – on average – is $2200. After that, you can expect the annual cost of owning a Scottish Deerhound to come to $1068. Since the average lifespan of a Deerhound is between 8-11 years, expect the annual cost of raising one to be between $8,500 and $11,750.
