Smaller Swiss Hounds

Smaller Bernese Hound

Smaller Jura Hound

Smaller Swiss Hounds (Schweizer Laufhunde) FCI-Standard No 59

Origin:
Switzerland

Date of Publication of the valid Original Standard:
January 1, 1990

Utilization:
Hunting dog in the most specific meaning of the word; searching game; hunting while giving tongue; also tracking wounded game

Brief historical summary

At the turn of the century, the system of hunting in preserves was introduced in several Swiss Cantons. As the opinion was that the generally popular, medium sized Schweizer Laufunde (Swiss Hounds) were too fast for enclosed preserves, it was decided to replace them with smaller short-legged scent hounds. The new smaller breed, bred through planned selection of stock and suitable crossing, was called "Niederlaufhund" ("Short-legged scent hound"). It was distinguished by the following qualities: relatively low on leg, in attractive coat colour, similar to those of the medium-sized Swiss Hounds (Schweizer Laufhunde), melodious cry to scent and track and very passionate desire to find game, to quarter and to do track work. The Schweizer Niederlaufhund Club, first known by the name "Schweizerischer Dachsbracken Club", was founded on June 1st 1905.

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Smaller Lucerne Hound

Smaller 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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