Here at IndulgeYourPet, we’re not going to blame if you’ve never heard of or know anything about the American Staghound. After all, there a relatively new “type” of dog and is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club either!
Which is why…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss exactly what “kind” of dog an American Staghound is so that if you’re currently seeking a new pet you might have a better idea if an American Staghound might be the right dog.
American Staghound Fast Facts
Origin: United States of America
Purpose: Hunting and companionship
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Average Weight: 45-90 pounds
Average Height: 22-33 inches
Origin of the American Staghound
You can probably guess by name where this dog comes from – yep, you’re right, the good ol’ U.S. of A. The American Staghound is believed to be a cross of the Scottish Deerhound, Greyhound and possibly some other dog breeds.
Remember…
As we’ve already stated, the American Staghound isn’t an official breed. Hence, its true and proper lineage is still a bit “in the works,” which means that the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club aren’t about to recognize this pup as anything more than a mutt. But trust us, we have it under good authority that your American Staghound Dog doesn’t care about their official “status” nor does their proud owners!
Plus…
The UKC and AKC’s lack of recognition doesn’t mean that these dogs aren’t going to have their unique characteristics and personality traits; it only means that in the eyes of these organizations, it’s not considered a true “pure breed.”
Which is probably a good thing…
Because many “purebreds” can tend to have a lot of severe medical conditions due to improper breeding practices which the American Staghound doesn’t have (yet)! But we’ll get into all that later; let’s first talk a little more about what makes an American Staghorn an American Staghorn.
The American Staghounds vs. Lurchers Conundrum
A Lurcher is pretty similar to an American Staghound – and to be honest, sometimes the terms are interchangeable. The main difference is that the word “lurcher” is British or Irish dog, whereas an American Staghound is an American dog. DNA may be the same, but place of birth still creates an identity, even in the Doggo world. These dogs could have Greyhounds, Deerhounds, terriers or other dogs in their dog genealogy.
The personality of the American Staghound
When your American Staghound puppy comes home, you’ll notice that it will be sweet and affectionate. Your staghound is likely to be pretty friendly with just about everyone they meet and are likely to make new friends wherever they go.
Or in other words…
These dogs get along with just about everyone. However, that being said, this is usually a “dog person” kind of dog. You might go a more accessible route if you don’t know the first thing about dogs.
What do we mean by this?
That’s easy; American Staghound is visual site hound that likes to hunt things they can see. This means that if you’re walking and your Staghorn sees a rabbit or a squirrel… Good Luck! They are going to be off to the races!
Plus…
These dogs tend to be “independent thinkers.” Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means that they’re first going to listen to you and then decide for themselves if they want to do what you asking. As a result, those familiar with training or owning a dog like this may become upset or frustrated with their Staghound, whereas the right owner would understand that this is simply a part of what makes them what they are!
Will an American Staghound get along with kids?
Yes! This is an excellent dog for kids. However, due to its size, you will want to be a close observer whenever this dog is around tiny tots. Also, remember that American Staghounds are pretty smart; they aren’t always the most intelligent dog in the world. This is why you may need to continually remind your Staghound that your kid isn’t a “rabbit” or a “squirrel” and that they shouldn’t continue to chase your little one all around the house!
If you’re looking…
For a brilliant, kid-friendly big dog then it really shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that we here at IndulgeYourPet will typically recommend folks take a look at perhaps a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever instead of an American Staghound.
Does this American Staghound get along with other animals?
Yes, this dog is very social, but remember it’s still a hunter. Even out of play, it may do a lot of chasing smaller dogs or pets. It may even wind up in attack mode. We recommend you put an American Staghound only with other dogs that can hold their own, like a terrier or another similarly-sided hound.
Characteristics of the American Staghound
Since this dog is usually bred using a greyhound, it’s solid yet slender. Usually the coat is pretty short and low maintenance. Depending on the breeds in this pup’s line, they could be a combo of black, brown, white, blonde, or brindle.
This dog stays pretty fit, especially if you exercise together as regularly as you should. And keep in mind this is only a dog for an owner willing to be active. If you’re not up for a daily walk or ball fetch session, this dog will probably be too much for you!
Health Concerns for American Staghound
Here’s the good news: the closer a dog is to a mutt, the healthier her or she will likely be. Purebreds tend to have many more health problems than an American Staghound dog. Due to an American Staghound’s long chest, the dog has a moderate risk of getting gastric dilatation volvulus. But what are you going to do? Lots of dogs are at risk for this condition.
That said however…
Gastric dilation volvulus or bloat is a severe life-threatening medical condition that can affect many different larger-sized breeds of dogs. So, before you decide to purchase an American Staghound, you should ask your dog breeder about this.
Also: it’s important to note that American staghounds can be sensitive to anesthesia. If you plan on getting your puppy spade or neutered, keep that in mind (though hopefully your vet will already know this!).
Lastly…
Whenever we speak with an individual considering adopting a puppy or a rescue dog, we encourage them to also look at what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy on their animal. This is because owning a pet can be expensive and you never know what conditions your dog may or may not develop throughout their life. Knowing that you have a pet insurance policy that could help you afford the cost of treatment if the need arises is HUGE!
Now will…
A pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone? Probably not, but until you know what it costs how will you know if it’s right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “Best” pet insurance policies, please check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
