Swiss Hounds

Bernese Hound

Jura Hound

Swiss Hounds (Schweizer Laufhunde) FCI-Standard No 59

Origin:
Switzerland

Date of Publication of the valid Original Standard:
May 11, 1993

Utilization:
Small game hunting dog used for hunting with the gun; is generally used for the hare, the deer, the fox and sometimes the boar. He hunts in an independent manner and giving tongue. Even on difficult terrain, he tracks and flushes with great determination.

Brief historical summary

The Swiss Hound has very ancient origins. His presence in times of the Roman Helvetia is certified on a mosaic discovered in Avenches, by the representation of hounds corresponding to the varieties of Swiss hounds. In the XVth century he is sought after by the Italian dog lovers and, in the XVIIIth century, by the French for his exceptional aptitude to the difficult hunting of the hare. His native lines have certainly been influenced by hounds of French breeding brought back to Switzerland by mercenaries. In 1882, a standard was established for each of the 5 "types" of the Swiss Hounds. In 1909, those standards were revised and the total dissapearance of the hound of Thurgovie was noticed. The 22nd of January 1933, a single standard was established for the 4 varieties of the Swiss Hound. As to the ancient variety, the hound of the Jura type St. Hubert, it has today disapeared.

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Lucerne Hound

Schwyz Hound

The official standard for the Swiss Hounds may be downloaded at the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) web site . Go to «Standards and Nomenclature», then to group 6, section 13.

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