Hanoverian Scenthound: Dog Breed Information

The Hanoverian Scenthound is a pure hunting dog that specializes in tracking down the injured game. As specialists, scenthounds only belong in the hands of experienced hunters and dog handlers, who can offer their dogs many possible uses. As pure family dogs, they are completely out of place.

Origin and history

The Hanoverian Scenthound developed from the so-called lead dogs of the early Middle Ages. Before the hunt, guide dogs had to locate the location of the game – primarily deer and wild boar – to guarantee the success of the hunt. With the advent of firearms, the lead dog lost its importance – on the other hand, a dog was needed to search for injured, bleeding game. This is how the former leader dog became a specialist for work after the shot, the scent hound. Especially the Hannoversche Jägerhof in the Kingdom of Hanover further developed this dog breed and also gave its name to this breed.

Appearance

The Hanoverian Scenthound is a medium-sized, well-proportioned, and powerful dog. The broad chest offers room for the lungs and enables long, enduring work. The slightly wrinkled forehead, the dark eyes, and the medium-length, drooping ears give the Hanoverian Scenthound its typical serious, melancholic facial expression. The tail is set high, long, and hardly curved. The body is overall longer than high.

The coat of the Hanoverian Scenthound is short, dense, and coarse to harsh. The coat color ranges from light to dark deer red with more or less heavy brindle, with or without a mask of a darker shade.

Nature

The Hanoverian Scenthound is a determined, calm, and strong-willed hunting dog with an excellent nose. Its specialization lies in the persistent pursuit of the game that has been shot sick, even under the most challenging conditions. The Hanoverian Scenthound is a pure hunting dog, which is usually only given to hunters.

The Hanoverian Scenthound needs consistent training and a lot of practice before it can be used successfully for welding work. The training lasts about two years. During this time, the young dog must have sufficient opportunity to work so that it reaches the necessary level of performance. Keeping a Hanoverian Scenthound, therefore, requires a lot of time and commitment.

In addition to its hunting work, the Hanoverian scent hound is a friendly, affectionate, and loyal family companion. It is thanks to the close contact with its people with obedient and tough work in the forest. The short coat is straightforward to care for.