Smalandsstövare Dog Breed

Sweden

Although the Sweden Canine Club did not recognize it as a breed until late 1920, it is possible that the Smalandsstövare represents the most ancient type of hound used in Sweden to track and locate the prey. The breed is named after the county of Smaland, a zone where this type of dogs was used for the first time for this purpose. Considering that the standards, records and breed control are modern ideas, the old Smalandsstövare made up a very heterogeneous collection. Until after 1900, no attempts were made to get a more uniform type, but the breed has now its own characteristics that clearly distinguish these dogs from other varieties.

The Smalandsstövare is a hard-working and agile dog, and it must have a vigorous constitution, although it does not weigh much. The snout is not wide or pointy, and the eyes of a calm expression are dark. The ears that are close to the head are soft and have round tips. The tail is short (by nature) or long until the back of the knee, in which case it is straight and slightly curved.

The color is black with cinnamon patches over the eyes, on the feet and at the lower part of the tail. The height at withers must be about 50 cm in males and 4 cm less in females.