The Hanover Hound is a

breed A breed is a specific group of breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist seve ...

dog The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...

sometimes referred to as a Hanoverian Hound, Hanoverian Scent hound, and Hannover Schweißhund. The origins of the Hanover hound trace back to the Celtic period as a direct decedent of the lead hound. The Hanover hound is described as a blood hound, primary used for tracking blood from wounded animals. It is a

hunting Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...

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 crossbred with the Bavarian Hound, which gave rise to the

Bavarian Mountain Hound The Bavarian Mountain Hound (German: ''Bayerischer Gebirgsschweißhund'') is a breed of dog from Germany. As a scent hound, it has been used in Germany since the early 20th century to trail wounded game. Description The Bavarian Mountain Hound' ...

Description

Appearance

These short-haired dogs range in colour from light to dark reddish fawn with a

brindle Brindle is a coat (animal), coat coloring pattern in animals, particularly dogs, cattle, guinea pigs, cats, and, rarely, horses. It is sometimes described as "tiger-striped", although the brindle pattern is more subtle than that of a tiger's co ...

d appearance. They may also have a

mask A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance, or entertainment, and often employed for rituals and rites. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes, ...

. Overall, the Hanoverian Hound is sturdily built with a large head, strong jaws and a deep chest. Adult males stand between 19.5 and 21.5 inches (50–55 cm) and weigh 66–88 pounds. Adult females are usually slightly smaller, standing 19–21 inches (38–53 cm) in height and weighing 55 to 70 pounds (25–35 kg). The forehead is slightly wrinkled. The skull is broadest between the ears and slightly rounded. The ears of a Hanover hound are high, broad, and smooth, usually bluntly rounded at the tips. The tail is high set, long, and barely curved

Temperament

Like any

working dog A working dog is a dog used to perform practical tasks, as opposed to pet or companion dogs. Definitions vary on what a working dog is, they are sometimes described as any dog trained for and employed in meaningful work; other times as any ...

, the Hanover Hound fares best living in an area where he can exercise and would not be ideal for city living. Similar to other working dogs, the Hanoverian hound is described as having a calm and assured temperament and a persistent and single-minded nature when tracking. Hanover hounds tend to keep to themselves around strangers; on the other hand, they are kind and friendly towards other dogs.

History

The ancestry of the Hanover hound can be linked to the Celtic people in Central Europe, from around 500 BC. The Celts used the Segusiehund, which evolved from the Celtic hound. Keeping its tracking ability and powerful build, it developed into the lead hound, with distinguishing characteristics such as a blunt muzzle and a broad nose. The Hanover Hound developed almost directly from the Lead Hound. Since the era of Charlemagne, the lead hound has held a strong standing in hunting. These dogs were utilized to locate strong stags and wild boars. After the advent of firearms revolutionized hunting, it created a demand for dogs capable of tracking wounded prey. Which made the Lead Hound ideally suited for this task, leading its transition into the” Blood Hound”. In 1885, the Hanover hound was given its name “Hanoverian Bloodhound” / “German Bloodhound”. The founding meeting of The Hirschmann Association took the task of preserving the Hanoverian Scent hound breed. In 1912, the Hanoverian scent hound was crossed with the Bavarian mountain scent hound, a lighter, more agile tracking dog. Which was better suited for rough terrian. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Hanoverian hound on January 1, 1996.

Breed recognition

The Hanover hound was officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1964, under Scent hounds and related breeds. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Hanoverian hound, classified in the scent hound group on January 1, 1996.

References

External links

German Hannover'scher Schweisshund Club
{{hounds Dog breeds originating in Germany FCI breeds Rare dog breeds Scent hounds