Breed Comparison: Lowchen Versus Scottish Deerhound

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Lowchen Versus Scottish Deerhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Lowchen and for the Scottish Deerhound. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lowchen or the Scottish Deerhound.

Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound: Overview

A very important difference between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lowchen is a tiny-sized dog while the Scottish Deerhound is a giant-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Scottish Deerhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lowchen to the Scottish Deerhound based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound

Factor Lowchen Scottish Deerhound
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 13 to 15 years 8 to 11 years
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 9 to 18 pounds 75 to 110 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 9.5 years
Average Price $2870 $980
Price Range $1642 – $4500 $975 – $975
Temperament Score 75.0 percent 85.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 163 158

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lowchen in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Scottish Deerhound. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Lowchen is 85 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Scottish Deerhound is 67 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lowchen is a better pet than the Scottish Deerhound. So, you should get the Lowchen!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound

    Below is a list of where the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are most different:

  • Lowchens are good for new dog owners. However, Scottish Deerhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Lowchens adapt well to apartment living. However, Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Lowchens are very easy to train. However, Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound

    The Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are most similar:

  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound.

    Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Scottish Deerhounds weigh 75 to 110 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Deerhounds are 28 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound

    The lifespan of Lowchens is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lowchens is 14.0 years.

    The lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is between 8 to 11 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Deerhounds is 9.5 years.

    Lowchens live longer than Scottish Deerhounds.

    Temperament of the Lowchen Versus the Scottish Deerhound

    The Scottish Deerhound has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Scottish Deerhound is 85.3 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 85.3 percent, the Scottish Deerhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound by measuring the temperaments of 12 Lowchens and 34 Scottish Deerhounds.

    Price of Lowchen versus Price of Scottish Deerhound

    The average price of the Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Scottish Deerhound puppy is $980. The price of the Scottish Deerhound typically ranges from $975 – $975. However, the price of the Scottish Deerhound can be as low as $975 and as high as $975. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Scottish Deerhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Scottish Deerhound.

    Lowchen Scottish Deerhound
    Average Price $2870 $980
    Price Range $1642 to $4500 $975 to $975

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lowchen and Scottish Deerhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Lowchen puppies or how many Scottish Deerhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Deerhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Deerhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lowchen puppy or the Scottish Deerhound puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Lowchen versus Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Scottish Deerhound is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Scottish Deerhound is 158 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Popularity of Scottish Deerhound

    Year Lowchen Popularity Rank Scottish Deerhound Popularity Rank
    2013 154 165
    2014 165 157
    2015 161 152
    2016 171 154
    2017 169 168
    2018 168 158
    2019 158 149
    2020 161 166

    Health Problems of Lowchen versus Health Problems of Scottish Deerhound

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Scottish Deerhound is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Lowchen.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lowchen while 3 tests are recommended for the Scottish Deerhound.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lowchens and in Scottish Deerhounds.

    Lowchen Health Problems

    Lowchens are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lowchen puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lowchen puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lowchen breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lowchens for:

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    Scottish Deerhound Health Problems

    Scottish Deerhounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Scottish Deerhound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Scottish Deerhound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Scottish Deerhound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Scottish Deerhounds for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • FACTOR VII Deficiency DNA test
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Scottish Deerhounds here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Lowchens and Scottish Deerhounds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Lowchens, and how common these diseases are in Lowchens relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Scottish Deerhound Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Scottish Deerhound ranks 4 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 148 Scottish Deerhounds, 5 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Scottish Deerhounds, and how common these diseases are in Scottish Deerhounds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 4 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Lowchen and in Scottish Deerhound and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound:

    Disease Lowchen Rank Scottish Deerhound Rank
    Patella problems 19 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 42 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 163 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 4 out of 159 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lowchens shed more than Scottish Deerhounds?

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Scottish Deerhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lowchen or the Scottish Deerhound

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Deerhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lowchen or the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Scottish Deerhounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lowchen Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Scottish Deerhounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Lowchens Bark and Howl? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

    Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Scottish Deerhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lowchen vs. Scottish Deerhound

    Lowchens have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Scottish Deerhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Scottish Deerhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Scottish Deerhounds can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lowchen or the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lowchens good family dogs? What about Scottish Deerhounds?

    Lowchens are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Scottish Deerhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lowchens and Scottish Deerhounds?

    Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Scottish Deerhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lowchen Easier to Train than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not easy to train.

    Is the Lowchen Better for Apartment Owners than the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

    Scottish Deerhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lowchen or the Scottish Deerhound?

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Scottish Deerhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lowchen

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lowchen that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lowchen:

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Deerhound vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Scottish Deerhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Scottish Deerhound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Scottish Deerhound:

  • Alaskan Malamute (70 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Alaskan Malamute.
  • Icelandic Sheepdog (75 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (73 percent match with Scottish Deerhound). Here is our comparison of the Lowchen vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Lowchen and how the Scottish Deerhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lowchen and of the Scottish Deerhound to other breeds:

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Airedale Terrier     Lowchen versus Shih Tzu     Lowchen versus Sheepadoodle     Lowchen versus Standard Poodle     Lowchen versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Lowchen versus Stabyhoun     Lowchen versus Shichon     Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear     Lowchen versus Lancashire Heeler     Lowchen versus American Water Spaniel     Lowchen versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lowchen versus Standard Schnauzer     Lowchen versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lowchen versus Pointer     Lowchen versus Morkie     Lowchen versus Akita     Lowchen versus American Foxhound     Lowchen versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Lowchen versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Lowchen versus Harrier     Lowchen versus Coton de Tulear     Lowchen versus Pomeranian     Lowchen versus Patterdale Terrier     

    Scottish Deerhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Deerhound versus Jack Russell Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Scottish Deerhound versus Ibizan Hound     Scottish Deerhound versus Yorkipoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Scottish Deerhound versus Pomapoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Great Dane     Scottish Deerhound versus Chihuahua     Scottish Deerhound versus Maltese     Scottish Deerhound versus Pomapoo     Scottish Deerhound versus Spanish Mastiff     Scottish Deerhound versus Whoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Bernedoodle     Scottish Deerhound versus Yorkshire Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Afghan Hound     Scottish Deerhound versus Puli     Scottish Deerhound versus Bracco Italiano     Scottish Deerhound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Scottish Deerhound versus Cesky Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Boerboel     Scottish Deerhound versus Peek A Poo     Scottish Deerhound versus Black Russian Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Yorkshire Terrier     Scottish Deerhound versus Sussex Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Lowchen versus Scottish Deerhound. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Lowchen and the Scottish Deerhound better suits you and your family.