Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: What’s the Difference?

Some of the largest dogs are also the most gentle, and this can be said of both the Scottish deerhound vs Irish wolfhound. But what traits do these dogs share, and what things separate them from one another, despite all of their physical similarities? 

In this article, we will address everything you need to know about both the Irish wolfhound and the Scottish deerhound so that you can get a full understanding of both of these breeds. We will go over their sizes and physical differences as well as their ancestors and behaviors, in case you’re interested in adopting either of these two fantastic breeds. Let’s get started now! 

Comparing Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound

Key Differences Between Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound

There are a number of key differences between a Scottish deerhound and an Irish wolfhound. The Irish wolfhound grows larger than the Scottish deerhound, in both height and weight. Additionally, the Scottish deerhound is a newer breed compared to the ancient Irish wolfhound, though both breeds are relatively old. Finally, the Scottish deerhound lives a slightly longer life compared to the Irish wolfhound.

Let’s go over all of these differences in more detail now. 

Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: Size

While both of these dogs look extraordinarily similar to one another, there are some key differences in their sizes. The Irish wolfhound is far taller than the Scottish deerhound, as well as just about any other dog breed besides the Great Dane. But just how tall do these dogs get? Let’s take a closer look at the figures now. 

Depending on gender, the Irish wolfhound ranges in height from 30 to 36 inches tall, while the Scottish deerhound only measures 30 to 32 inches tall. This means that the Scottish deerhound is still extremely tall- but the Irish wolfhound still measures higher! This also means that the Irish wolfhound weighs more than the average Scottish deerhound. For example, the Irish wolfhound frequently weighs 130-160 pounds, while the Scottish deerhound weighs 75-110 pounds total.

Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: Appearance

You likely can’t tell the difference between an Irish Wolfhound and a Scottish deerhound just by looking at them, especially if they are side by side. They both are covered in long and wiry fur, though the Irish wolfhound comes in more colors compared to the Scottish deerhound. However, both of their muzzles are extremely similar in appearance, and they both have extremely kind and gentle faces. 

Given the fact that these differences are extremely subtle, it can be extremely difficult to tell if you’re looking at an Irish Wolfhound or Scottish deerhound. Side-by-side, the Scottish deerhound has slightly longer legs compared to the Irish wolfhound, and the Irish wolfhound has a slightly broader chest compared to the Scottish deerhound. But these details may simply be too subtle to notice! 

Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: Ancestry and Breeding

There are a number of differences in the ancestry and breeding of the Scottish deerhound versus the Irish wolfhound’s upbringing. For example, the Irish wolfhound originated as long ago as 700 BC in Ireland, while the Scottish deerhound originated in Scotland sometime before the 16th century. 

While both of these breeds are capable sighthounds and hunting dogs, the Irish wolfhound it was bred to hunt and kill wolves, while the Scottish deerhound was bred to hunt and kill Scottish roe deer, a variety of deer that existed en masse during the time of the Scottish deerhound. Let’s talk more about how the ancestry of these two dogs affects their behaviors now. 

Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: Behavior

Given the fact that both the Irish wolfhound and the Scottish deerhound are hunting dogs, they have extremely powerful noses as well as hunting instincts. They are both extremely dignified, calm, and eager to please. However, the Scottish deerhound seems more sensitive to the emotions of their owner compared to the Irish wolfhound. It is best to be calm and consistent with both of these breeds, though they both enjoy a variety of homes and family situations. 

Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Wolfhound: Lifespan

The final difference between the Irish wolfhound and the Scottish deerhound is their life spans. The Scottish deerhound live slightly longer than at the Irish wolfhound, likely due to the size differences between these two breeds. For example, the Irish wolfhound only lives an average of 6 to 10 years, while the Scottish deerhound lives an average of 8 to 11 years total.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Ashva