Hanoverian Hound

HamiltonstövareHarrier

Hanoverian Hound – General Description

The Hanover Hound is a breed of dog sometimes referred to as a Hanoverian Hound. It is a hunting and tracking dog descended from bloodhounds of medieval times. It was first introduced into France in the 1980s and is still a very rare breed. It was cross-bred with the Bavarian Hound, and given rise to the Bavarian Mountain Hound.

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Classification and Standards

• FCI Group 6, Section 2, #213
• UKC Scenthound Group

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Character & Temperament

Like any working dog, the Hanover Hound fares best living in an area where he can get lots of exercise and would not be ideal for city living. They are calm and loyal, but described as persistent and single-minded when tracking.

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History

The Hanoverian hound was developed in Germany during the seventeenth century and descended from large bloodhounds that existed during the Middle Ages. In the nineteenth century, the Hanover Hound breed was improved by crossing it with other scenthounds such as the Heidebracke. The Hanover Hound was first introduced into France in the 1980s and is still a very rare breed.

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Size & Appearance

These short-haired dogs range in color from light to dark reddish fawn with a brindled appearance. They may also have a mask. Overall, the Hanoverian Hound is sturdily built with a large head, strong jaws and a deep chest. Their weight ranges from 80-99 lbs (36–45 kg). Males range in size from 19-22 inches (50–55 cm) while females are slightly smaller, about 18-21 inches (48–53 cm).

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Health & Maintenance

No unusual health problems or claims of extraordinary health have been documented for this breed.

References

• Hanoverian Hound – http://www.furrycritter.com/resources/dogs/Hanoverian_Hound.htm
• Hanoverian Hound Info – http://pethealth.petwellbeing.com/wiki/Hanover_Hound

Photo Credits

1. Pleple2000 (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Dojkungern [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
3. Verein Hirschmann (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
4. W. E. Mason – Dogs of all Nations [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

This article is licensed (except where noted) under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Hanoverian Scenthound

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Breed Standard

Hanoverian Hound

FCI-Standard N° 213 / 18. 11. 2002/ GB

TRANSLATION : C. Seidler, revised by E.Peper.

ORIGIN : Germany.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 09. 06. 1999.

UTILIZATION :

Scenthound, tracking hound for wounded game.

F.C.I. CLASSIFICATION :

• Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds.
• Section 2 Scenthounds/Leash Hounds.

With working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :

The Hanoverian Scenthound (Hannoverscher Schweisshund) has developed almost unchanged from the so called « liam hound » (leash hound) of the early Middle Ages. The liam hound, from the breed section of the « Bracke », already played an extraordinary part at the time of the establishment of clan rights of the Germanic tribes (in about 500AD).
With the invention of firearms, the methods of hunting big game altered. Dogs were needed to search for wounded game. The liam hound offered the best conditions for this and so he became a « Liam-Scenthound ». Especially the Hanoverian hunting estate in the kingdom of Hannover developed this breed further and preserved the proven methods of handling these hounds.
Since 1894 the registered « Verein Hirschmann e.V. » has been taking care of the breed and it was in this club where the breed’s name “Hannoverscher Schweisshund” (Hanoverian Scenthound) has been established.
Since that time the breeding of these dogs has continued strictly with regard of their working ability, and the dogs are used exclusively in hunting grounds for big game as specialists in tracking cloven-hoof game.

GENERAL APPEARANCE :

In general appearance the highly efficient Hanoverian Scenthound (Hannoverscher Schweisshund) is of medium size, well proportioned and powerful. Well set strongly muscled fore and hind limbs qualify him for tireless work. Too long legs, specially overbuilt forequarters, affect his work with nose to ground and are foreign to his type. The broad, deep chest provides ample room for the lungs and enables long, strenuous chases. The slightly wrinkled forehead and the clear dark eyes produce the serious expression typical of the breed. Also typical for the breed is the red primary colour of the coat which can vary from a pale fawn colour to a dark brindle, almost black appearing, colouring.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :

• A. Length of body to height at withers : 1.4 to 1
• B. Depth of chest to height at withers : 0.5 to 1
• C. Length of bridge of nose to length of head : 0.5 to 1

BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT :

Calm and assured temperament. Sensitive with his handler, choosy and discerning with strangers. High capability of concentration in any tracking work with strong loyalty to the hunter in charge.

HEAD :

Forehead slightly wrinkled.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Broad, increasing in width towards the rear, flatly rounded. Occiput barely pronounced. Seen from the side, superciliary ridges clearly defined.
Stop : Mostly strongly pronounced, more so in males.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Broad, mostly black, rarely dark brown. Nose large, broad, nostrils well opened. Bridge of nose slightly arched or almost straight, more arched in males. Gradually narrowing towards forehead.
Muzzle : Strong, deep and broad. Well developed for being used (about 50% of length of head). Mandible strong.
Lips : Broad and pendulous, well rounded.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws normally developed, very strong, straight, providing all teeth with sufficient room. 42 teeth. Scissor or pincer bite.
Cheeks : Strongly muscled and very strong.
Eyes : Neither prominent nor deep-set, well fitting lids, darkbrown iris. Free of ectropion or entropion.
Ears : Of medium length. Set on high and broad, smooth, hanging close to the head without twist. Bluntly rounded at the tips.

NECK :

Long and strong, gradually widening towards chest. Skin on throat full and loose, slight dewlap permissible.

BODY :

Topline : Long, often slightly overbuilt.
Withers : With normal rise. Base of neck strong.
Back : Strong.
Loins : Broad and pliable with slight arch.
Croup : Broad and long, sloping slightly towards the tail.
Chest : Deep and spacious, deep rather than broad.
Underline and belly : In a gradually rising line slightly tucked up.

TAIL :

High set-on, long and barely curved. Strong at set-on, gradually tapering towards the tip.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :

In general : Seen from the side, vertically set under the body and straight. Seen from the front, straight, often standing close. Well in proportion to the body.
Shoulders : Shoulder blade flat and close to the body, strongly muscled, well laid back.
Upperarm : Long.
Elbows : Well set backwards, close to the body.
Forearm : Straight, well muscled.
Carpal joint : Broad, almost straight.
Pasterns : Never totally steep.
Forefeet : Strong, round; toes well arched, well-knit; pads large and tough; strong nails.

HINDQUARTERS :

In general : Seen from the side, set under the body or slightly standing back. Well angulated. Seen from behind, straight. For a medium-sized dog which is longer than high, normal in proportion to the body.
Pelvis : Broad and capacious.
Upper thigh : Strongly muscled.
Stifle : With an angle of more than 120°.
Lower thigh : Straight and lean.
Hock joint : Broad and strong.
Hock : Almost vertical to the ground.
Hind feet : Rounded, well-knit toes.

GAIT/MOVEMENT :

Able to move in all gaits, full of drive, flexible, ground-covering when galloping. Preferred gaits at work are the walk or the gallop.

SKIN :

Thick, rather loose, mostly wrinkled on the head and occasionally at the throat, too. A wrinkled forehead is typical.

COAT

HAIR :

Short, thick, coarse to harsh. Somewhat longer and coarser on the rear edges of the upper thighs only. Coat on tail is dense and coarse, a little longer and coarser on underside.

COLOR :

Light to dark deer-red, more or less intensely brindled, with or without mask. Small white patches on forechest tolerated.

SIZE AND WEIGHT :

Height at withers : Dogs : 50 – 55 cm,
Bitches : 48 – 53 cm.
Weight : Dogs : 30 – 40 kg,
Bitches : 25 – 35 kg.

FAULTS :

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

• Square build.
• Fine bones.
• Faulty mouth : Lack of the first premolar (PM1) or of other teeth. Under- or overshot bite.
• Ectropion, entropion.
• Twisted or small leathers.
• Hindquarters strongly overbuilt.
• Swayback or roach back.
• Barrel shaped ribcage.
• Strongly curved or thin tail.
• Steep or loose shoulders.
• Strongly cow-hocked or bandy-legged.
• Splayed feet, harefeet.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

• Aggresive or overly shy.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are eliminating.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normally developed testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

© Fédération Cynologique Internationale