First introduced in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, the deer is a villager species in the Animal Crossing series. Similar to the Kangaroos, the deer have unique differences in traits between genders. Male deer have a pair of antlers atop their heads while female deer do not, except for  Shino. So far, there are six male and six female deer, giving players a total of twelve deer villagers to choose from.

You may consider adding a deer to your island for one of the following reasons:

Adorable

• The deer species has some of the cutest villagers in the game. Their designs are appealing and pleasing to look at.

Popularity

• Because of their adorable appearance, deer villagers are also quite popular. Deer villagers like Erik, Shino, and Fauna have become fan favorites and are highly coveted among players.

Personal Preference

• At the forefront of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is customization and creativity. Having a deer villager may fit well with the aesthetic you've built for your island. Or perhaps you just really love deer and having one on your island could be a reflection of your interests.

10. Bruce

He seems so mean and all, but he looks so cool!

Cranky villagers tend to be grouchy and may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Fortunately, Bruce is the only cranky deer on the list (and in the game for that matter). Underneath his anger, Bruce has a soft spot for nature. You might find him studying flowers, trees, bugs, or fossils. If you're an outdoorsy player, Bruce would be the perfect addition to your island.

Bruce's Stats:

• Gender: Male
• Personality: Cranky
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: May 26th (Gemini)
• Quote: “Nobody's perfect.”
• Initial Phrase: “gruff”
• Initial Clothes: After-School Jacket
• Home Request: A Mah-jongg Parlor (HHD), My Board-Game Palace (HHP)
• Hobby: Nature
• Skill: Memorizing
• Goal: Pro golfer
• Coffee: Blue Mountain without milk or sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Blues (NL, NH), Rockin' K.K. (HHD, HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

9. Zell

I may be smug, but at least I'm classy!

If you're looking for a more lively villager for your island, a deer like Zell would be a great choice. Zell has a smug personality, so he may come off as conceited from time to time. Despite being smug, villagers with this personality are also very kind, gentlemanly, and insightful making them a delight to be around.

Zell’s Stats:

• Gender: Male
• Personality: Smug
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: June 7th (Gemini)
• Quote: “Clothes totally make the man.”
• Initial Phrase: “pronk”
• Initial Clothes: Arctic-Camo Tee (NL, PC), Gilet with Shirt (NH)
• Home Request: A Themed Hotel (HHD), My Perfect Hotel (HHP)
• Hobby: Music
• Skill: Calculating tips
• Goal: Movie director
• Coffee: Blend with just a little bit of milk and one spoonful of sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. D&B (NL), K.K. Cruisin' (HHD, HHP), K.K. Swing (NH)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

8. Lopez

What's the scoop, I wonder?

Like Zell, Lopez also has the smug personality trait. That may sound like more of the same, but villagers have many distinctions that set them apart from each other. For instance, Lopez has the education hobby, so expect to find him investigating objects on your island with a magnifying glass. Villagers like Lopez are endearing and would likely be the perfect choice for a mystery-themed island.

Lopez’s Stats:

• Gender: Male
• Personality: Smug
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: August 20th (Leo)
• Quote: “Always look both ways before crossing the street.”
• Initial Phrase: “buckaroo” (NL), “badoom” (NL, NH)
• Initial Clothes: Brown-Bar Tee (NL), Navy Blue Chimayo Vest (NH)
• Home Request: A Stylish Space (HHD), My Piece of the Big City (HHP)
• Hobby: Education
• Skill: Debating
• Goal: CEO
• Coffee: Blend with just a little bit of milk and one spoonful of sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Milonga (NL), K.K. Soul (HHD), K.K. Jazz (NH, HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

7. Fuchsia

Ouch.

Fuchsia is a sisterly villager who is a bit more colorful than the other deer on the list. Fuchsia's name matches her fur color and she has blonde bangs, making her a cute villager to have around. She's caring, tomboyish, and blunt at times. But no matter what, you'll always feel like family with Fuchsia.

Fuchsia’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Sisterly
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: September 19th (Virgo)
• Quote: “It takes one to know one.”
• Initial Phrase: “girlfriend” (NL, PC), “precious” (PC, NH)
• Initial Clothes: Dark Polka Tee (NL, PC) Zigzag Dress (NH)
• Home Request: A Hangout For Li'l Rebels (HHD), My Manor of Mischief (HHP)
• Hobby: Music
• Skill: Home Repair
• Goal: Makeup Artist
• Coffee: Blue Mountain without milk or sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Rock (NL, NH) K.K. Rockabilly (HHD, HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

6. Erik

Isn't he just precious?

Erik is a deer villager who's always fun to interact with. As a lazy villager, he's friendly, laid-back, and has a large appetite for food. On top of his adorable looks, Erik's love for comics and superheroes gives him a childlike charm. Erik's kind and playful nature makes him one of the best deer villagers in the game.

Erik’s Stats:

• Gender: Male
• Personality: Lazy
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: July 27th (Leo)
• Quote: “If you're afraid of wolves, don't go to the woods.”
• Initial Phrase: “chow down”
• Initial Clothes: Comfy Sweater (AF, PC), Yodel Sweater (Camel) (NH)
• Home Request: A Cozy Mountain Cottage (HHD), A Hut in the Mountains (HHP)
• Hobby: Nature
• Skill: Playing horseshoes
• Goal: Carpenter
• Coffee: Mocha with lots of milk and three spoonfuls of sugar
• Favorite Song: Neapolitan (NL), Mountain Song (HHD, HHP), Drivin' (NH)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

5. Diana

How exquisite!

Don’t worry if Diana seems rude to you at first. She's a snooty villager who loves makeup and gossiping and will gradually warm up to you. Diana radiates elegance with a somewhat magical feel to her home. She's the perfect deer if you're aiming to create a regal-like island.

Diana’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Snooty
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: January 4th (Capricorn)
• Quote: “Sometimes you have to lose to win.”
• Initial Phrase: “no doy”
• Initial Clothes: Natty Tee (NL, PC), Mysterious Dress (NH)
• Home Request: A Tranquil Sanctuary (HHD), A Place to Meditate (HHP)
• Hobby: Education
• Skill: Playing poker
• Goal: Dermatologist
• Siblings: Oldest of five kids
• Fear: Monster mask
• Coffee: Kilimanjaro with the regular amount of milk and two spoonfuls of sugar
• Favorite Song: Stale Cupcakes (NL), K.K. Synth (HHD, HHP), Farewell (NH)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

4. Deirdre

I can always count on you, big sis.

Deirdre is another sisterly villager like Fuchsia, but that's not to say she isn't without unique qualities of her own. Deirdre is a night owl with chill vibes. She's tough and sometimes gives the player fighting tips. Her home and clothing fit perfectly with an autumn theme. And she'll help you out whenever you're in a jam, such as giving you medicine to treat bee stings. Deirdre is a deer villager you shouldn't pass up on.

Deirdre’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Sisterly
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: May 4th (Taurus)
• Quote: “Legs of an antelope, heart of an eagle.”
• Initial Phrase: “whatevs”
• Initial Clothes: Fall Leaf Tee (NL), Flower Sweater (yellow) (NH)
• Home Request: An Autumnal Atmosphere (HHD), A Little Slice of Fall (HHP)
• Hobby: Play
• Skill: Tiptoeing
• Goal: Journalist
• Coffee: Blue Mountain without milk or sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Cruisin' (NL), K.K. Bossa (HHD, HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

3. Fauna

She really brings out the “spring” in springtime.

Fauna is one of the best deer villagers you could ask for. Fauna is a normal villager which may not sound interesting, but her personality allows her to get along with almost all villager types. She's a total sweetheart who's always kind, easy to befriend and loves tending to nature.

Fauna’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Normal
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: March 26th (Aries)
• Quote: “The first step is always the hardest.”
• Initial Phrase: “dearie”
• Initial Clothes: Shearling Coat (NL, PC), Bohemian Tunic Dress (NH)
• Home Request: A Home Concert Hall (HHD), My Piano Hangout (HHP)
• Hobby: Nature
• Skill: Mental math
• Goal: Teacher
• Coffee: Mocha with lots of milk and three spoonfuls of sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Stroll (NL, NH), Forest Life (HHD, HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf, Happy Home Designer, amiibo Festival, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

2. Shino

Don't get on her bad side, I think?

First introduced in New Horizons, Shino is a peppy villager with an air of mystery about her. Shino became popular for her iconic Japanese-themed design and home interior. On top of that, her upbeat personality and happy moods never get old.

Shino’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Peppy
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: October 31st (Scorpio)
• Quote: “Better the demon you know than the one you do not.”
• Initial Phrase: “okaaay”
• Initial Clothes: Kimono (PC), Morning-glory yukata (Pale green) (NH)
• Home Request: A Stage to Jam for Japan (HHP)
• Hobby: Education
• Favorite Song: King K.K. (NH), K.K. Folk (HHP)
• Appearances: Pocket Camp, New Horizons

1. Chelsea

You caught me! I'm a Sanrio girl.

Chelsea is an exclusive villager amongst five others who appear in the Sanrio Collaboration Series. Her design and interior are based on the Sanrio character My Melody. For a while, she was only available to European and Japanese players before the Sanrio collab made its way to the U.S. in 2021. Chelsea and the other Sanrio villagers can only be obtained through scanning their amiibo cards and can't be traded among players. Although the Sanrio amiibo cards aren't as big as when the collab first dropped, Chelsea may still appeal to players who seek rare villagers and love cute aesthetics.

Chelsea’s Stats:

• Gender: Female
• Personality: Normal
• Species: Deer
• Birthday: January 18th (Capricorn)
• Quote: “Always look a gift horse in the mouth.”
• Initial Phrase: “pound cake”
• Initial Clothes: My Melody Shirt
• Home Request: My Own Fairy-Tale Forest (HHP)
• Hobby: Play
• Skill: Making sweets
• Goal: Pastry chef
• Coffee: Mocha with lots of milk and 3 spoonfuls of sugar
• Favorite Song: K.K. Stroll (NL:WA, NH), K.K. Ragtime (HHP)
• Appearances: New Leaf: Welcome Amiibo, Pocket Camp, New Horizons

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this top 10 list, you may also be interested in:

• [Top 15] Animal Crossing New Horizons Best Villagers 2022
• [Top 10] Animal Crossing New Horizons Best Villager Houses That Look Awesome
• [Top 10] Animal Crossing New Horizons Best Islands That Look Awesome