In this blog post, we will answer the question “What kind of dog is Sirius Black?” We will talk about the character Sirius Black in the Harry Potter series, we will discover the breed of the dog and its physical and behavioral characteristics.
What kind of dog is Sirius Black?
In the story Sirius Black can assume the animagus form which is a large black dog called by his friends as Padfoot. In the movie “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, the animagus form assumed by Sirius is played by a Scottish deerhound dog.
Who is Sirius Black?
Sirius Black is a character in the Harry Potter series written by British author J.K. Rowling. His character is revealed to be the godfather of Harry Potter in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels that chronicle the life of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, who begin their studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Throughout the story, the protagonist unravels mysteries of his past and the world of magic. The main villain is Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard who intends to become immortal, overthrow the ruling body of wizards known as the Ministry of Magic, and subjugate all wizards and muggles (non-magical people).
About the Scottish deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound It is considered a hunting breed. Its origins are not very well defined, but there is reason to think that this breed may have been introduced to Scotland by Phoenician traders.
Physical characterizes
The Deerhound is a large dog. It is a tall and sturdy dog, thin and has long legs. Thus, it can be considered a very fast and agile breed.
In addition, he is a short-haired, rough and shaggy dog. The most common color tones for the Deerhound’s coat are light and dark gray, bluish-gray, brindle, yellow, and reddish fawn with black spots.
Behavior/temperament
Overall, the Scottish deerhound attitude is one of noble dignity. Gentle and friendly, docile, intelligent and attached to their tutors. He is obedient and easy to train for his eagerness to please. Never suspicious, aggressive or nervous. He behaves with quiet dignity.
A Scottish deerhound is an energetic dog that loves to do physical activities outdoors. So, he will prefer tutors who do sports and like to move around.
Health care
Scottish deerhounds are very healthy dogs. The main pathology that affects this breed are hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and gastric dilatation and torsion.
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disease that is characterized by low secretion of thyroid hormones, it can happen for several reasons. The most common symptoms are weight gain, lethargy and weakness.
Hip Dysplasia is a genetic alteration, very common in several large breeds. Dysplasia is a malformation in the hip joint that causes discomfort, pain, can lead the dog to limp, and have problems with locomotion that get worse with age.
As it is a genetic characteristic, dogs with a high degree of the disease should not be bred. There are imaging tests that classify the degree of dysplasia and can be performed even in puppies.
It is always recommended to buy animals in responsible kennels that aim at the genetic improvement of the breed, preventing the dogs proliferation with a high degree of hip dysplasia.
On the other hand, gastric dilations and torsions are related to a breed condition. They are dogs that feed very quickly on large amounts of food and water, thus being able to present this type of torsion.
Dogs can be restless, apathetic and may have difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement and demonstration of pain on abdominal palpation. It is a disease that can lead the dog to death if urgent medical assistance is not provided.
As for reproduction, few reproductive problems are reported. Females tend to be very affectionate with their puppies. Because they are large dogs, the female dog can lie on the puppies, crushing them to death. Dogs and puppies must stay in specific parturition boxes to avoid this situation.
Before having a dog, it is essential to talk to a veterinarian to choose the ideal breed for your family. And once you’re with the animal, it’s important to regularly monitor the animal’s health with exams, vaccinations, and appointments.
Breed care
Below we will talk about some care for the Scottish deerhound such as:
- Health care;
- Skin care;
- Nail care;
- Teeth care;
Health care
Scottish deerhounds need to keep their vaccinations and deworming up to date, so it is advisable to visit the vet at least once a year. They tend to be very healthy, active and playful dogs.
Skin care
Baths in this breed are indicated with specific shampoos for dogs every 15 to 30 days. Bathing should be done very carefully, especially to avoid getting water into the ear. Thus avoiding otitis.
The animal must always be very dry after bathing, to avoid the growth of microorganisms that can lead to dermatitis. The Scottish deerhound’s coat should be brushed once a week. Its coat does not need to be trimmed.
Nail care
As for nail clipping, it is recommended to cut the dog’s nail once or twice a month. Cutting the nails prevents the animal from getting hurt or even hurting the tutor.
Teeth care
Dogs of this breed should brush their teeth every 48 hours with a dog-specific toothpaste. Constant brushing of your dog’s teeth helps prevent tartar buildup and the resulting problems.
Conclusion
In this blog post we were able to find out a little more about the Sirius black breed. Topics such as the Scottish Deerhound’s physical characteristics, in addition to its strong, fast and agile characteristics, make it a good hunter and a good companion for outdoor physical activities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What kind of dog is Sirius black?
Is a Scottish Deerhound aggressive?
No. The Scottish Deerhound can never be aggressive, in general they are docile, friendly, and intelligent. Also, this breed is sociable with people and other animals.
How big is a Scottish Deerhound’s dog?
The size of the dogs is measured by the height of the withers, to the Scottish Deerhound’s the ideal size is 76 cm for males and 71 cm for females.
Are Scottish Deerhound’s Good Pets?
Scottish Deerhound’s are known to be gentle and friendly, docile, intelligent and attached to their owners. He is obedient and easy to train for his eagerness to please. It is an energetic dog and can be a good pet for those who like to do physical activities outdoors.
Reference
CBKC – Brazilian Canine Cynophilic Confederation, 2017 Official Breed Standard: BLOODHOUND. Available at: https://cbkc.org/application/views/docs/padroes/padrao-raca_207.pdf, Accessed 10th Jan 2022.
Rowling, J. K. (2019). Harry Potter. The 100 Greatest Literary Characters, 183.
Picture: Dreamstime
