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Small Swiss Hound (Schwizerischer Niederlaufhund)

Medium Breed

The Small Swiss Hound is a very friendly dog that shows no signs of nervousness in any situation. The beautiful breed has a very lively nature and is more than happy to play or go for walks with its family.

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Breed standards

Country of origin

Switzerland

Weight

33 lbs/15 kgs

Height

Males 33-45 cm/13 1/4 - 18 inches; Females 31-42 cm/12 1/2 - 16 3/4 inches (Standards may vary)

Coat

Two coat varieties: Smooth coat – short, smooth and close fitting with finer hair on the head and ears. Rough coat – harsh, elastic, close fitting, barely any undercoat and with a slight beard

Markings

Four varieties of Small Swiss Hound with four different coat colours: white and black with tan markings (Small Bernese Hound), black with tan markings (Small Jura Hound), blue speckled with black mantle (Small Lucerne Hound) and white with orange-red mantle (Small Schwyz Hound) as well as all mixed colours of those.

Lifespan

Average 12-14 years

The Small Swiss Hound is a very talented hunter, able to follow a scent for a long way to pull in its quarry. Out of the field and into the home, the Small Swiss Hound makes a fine companion and is friendly and affectionate to its family.

Temperament

The Small Swiss Hound is an affectionate breed towards its owner and friendly to most. They vary in temperament from calm to lively, which can be influenced by their environment. Untiring as a scent hound, they hunt alone with great determination; they search and drive the game even on the most difficult terrain. They are useful tracking dogs with their keen sense of smell and powerful voice. They make lovely companions and require a consistent owner who will be firm with training.

  • Poor
    Children
    Good
  • Very
    Combativeness
    Not very
  • Very
    Dominance
    Not very
  • Not very
    Friendliness
    Good
  • Not very
    Independence
    Very
  • Loud
    Noise
    Quiet
  • Not very
    Trainability
    Very

Good to know

The Small Swiss Hound is a wonderful breed with a friendly and social temperament, excellent sense of smell and a tendency to be very vocal. The Small Swiss Hound was originally bred as a hunting dog.

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  • A very good companion
  • An excellent hunting breed
  • No trimming or stripping required
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  • Requires sufficient daily exercise
  • Coat requires regular brushing