The Scottish Deerhound is a large breed known for its grace and speed, with a wiry coat adapted for Scottish weather. It has a long, lean body with a distinctive, shaggy appearance and is renowned for its gentle nature and keen hunting skills, originally bred to hunt red deer.

The Scottish Deerhound is native to Scotland in the United Kingdom. Historically, it was associated with the Scottish Highlands, where it was bred for hunting red deer.

The Scottish Deerhound typically inhabits rugged, hilly terrains and open moorlands. The climate in these regions is generally cool and temperate, with frequent rainfall and a mixture of grasslands and forests.

As a hunting breed, the Scottish Deerhound was primarily used to pursue and hunt large game such as deer. It thrives in environments where it can utilize its speed and endurance to chase prey across open landscapes. The breed's ecological niche has been shaped by its role in the human-driven hunting and breeding practices of the Scottish Highlands.