Hamiltonstövare
🧠 Temperament & character
The Hamiltonstövare is friendly, balanced and pleasantly calm in the house, while being affectionate towards his family. On the hunt he shows himself energetic, enduring and with a good will to follow a trail. He is considered easy to handle and is therefore somewhat easier to manage than many another scent hound. His hunting drive is nevertheless pronounced and wants to be satisfied.
📜 Origin & history
The Hamiltonstövare was bred at the end of the 19th century by Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton, co-founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, from English foxhounds and German scent hounds. The aim was a versatile, weatherproof solitary hunting dog for Swedish conditions. The breed, named after its creator, is to this day one of Sweden's most popular hunting dogs.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The short, dense coat of the Hamiltonstövare is weatherproof and very easy to care for; occasional brushing is enough. As an enduring hunting dog he needs plenty of exercise as well as tasks that challenge his nose and mind. Thanks to his trainability he is comparatively easy to train, but should nevertheless be led consistently. Without enough activity he may follow his own nose and become restless.
🩺 Health
The Hamiltonstövare is a fundamentally healthy, robust breed with a life expectancy of around twelve to fourteen years. Breed-typical hereditary diseases are comparatively rare, which is why he is regarded as an uncomplicated dog. As with all scent hounds, regular checking of the ears is advisable. Responsible breeders pay attention to healthy hips and sound-natured parent animals.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Hamiltonstövare suits active people and hunters who can offer him plenty of exercise and nose work. Thanks to his calm, friendly manner and good trainability he is more easy-going than many other scent hounds, but he remains a genuine hunting dog. For a city apartment without activity he is unsuitable; in an active household with access to nature he feels at home. In Switzerland he is rare, but in the north he is widespread.