The Schiller Hound, like many rare breeds, is not very well known outside of its country of origin – Sweden. This is a hunting dog breed that was developed by a farmer around the late 19th century. Find out if the Schiller Hound is the right pet for your household.
Cool facts about the Schiller Hound
- The Schiller hound was developed by a farmer called Per Schiller, in the South of Germany, around the late 19th century. Per Schiller exhibited two examples of the breed called Tamburini and Ralla at the first dog show organized in Sweden. These dogs later provided the basis for the modern bloodlines, although the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the Schillerstövare as a separate breed only in 1907.
- The Swiss hound and the Harrier dog breed are possible ancestors of the Schiller Hound.
- Today, the breed is considered the fastest among all Scandinavian hounds.
- In Sweden, three breeds of scent hounds are popular: Schillerstövare, Hamiltonstövare, and Smalandstövare. The Hamiltonstövare are popular as hunting and show dogs in Sweden while the other two are mainly hunting dogs. Hamiltonstövare and Schiller Hound breeds are quite similar in appearance. The literal meaning of the word stövare is Beagle.
- Among other popular Swedish dog breeds is the Swedish Vallhund. British Queen’s first Corgi was very similar to a Swedish Vallhund. Dogs are popular pets in Sweden. There are over 800,000 dogs registered in the country. Swedish lapphund dogs are also popular and so is the Swedish Elkhund. Other popular Swedish breeds include Drever and Nordic Hunting Dog or the Norrbotrenspets.
- The UKC recognized the Schiller Hound as a separate breed in the hunting dog category in 2006.
Physical characteristics
This is a medium to large-sized dog. They have a characteristic tan and black, short coat with the black part forming the ‘saddle’ on the dog’s anatomy. They are capable of running large distances at a very high speed. As a result, their legs are well developed and muscular.
Size
- Height at withers – 53 to 61 cm or 21 to 24 inches.
- Weight – 18 to 25 kg
A Schiller hound has a long tail that the dogs carry on a line with the back while running. Their drop ears are short and they have intelligent dark brown eyes with an alert expression.
Temperament
The Schillerstövare is an attractive hunting dog but due to its strong hunting instincts, it is never used only as a companion breed or a household pet. So, if you plan to adopt or buy a Schiller Hound, make sure you have a good reason to do so.
Just as a certain car may boast features specific to its brand, a dog breed will also display certain traits. However, it must be stressed that there can be variations in dogs and each Schillerstövare comes with its own set of peculiarities and idiosyncrasies. This depends, largely to the kind of training, environment, and socialization the dog has been exposed to. In general, a Schillerstövare is a lively and alert dog that needs a job to do. He will not be satisfied with being a couch potato. However, he is also an affectionate and loyal dog and won’t hesitate to show love and affection towards his family members. He will gladly spend a day indoors with his owners, but is happiest when he is outdoors running in the field.
Schillerstövare make good watchdogs and guard dogs and can alert you with their barking. They tend to be wary with strangers and will watch them alertly until you put them at ease. Their sharp sense of scent and excellent eyesight make them alert to any discrepancies in their environment and they will make sure that your property and family are safe while they are on watch.
With children, Schillerstövare is usually quite good. However, you must socialize them from an early age. As responsible pet owners, you must also teach your kids about respecting dogs and giving them their space. It is important for parents to teach their kids not to tease or harass the dogs. As with any breed, supervision of the interaction between Schiller hounds and kids is a must.
Schillerstövare gets along well with other dogs since they are used to hunting in packs. However, as in the case with kids, you must socialize your Schiller hound with other household pets right from the beginning. Since they have a high hunting instinct and prey drive, they tend to chase small animals. Therefore, you must always keep your dog on a leash while walking at a dog park. Also, make sure that your fence is secure otherwise your dog will not hesitate to escape if he catches an interesting scent.
Training a Schillerstövare
A Schiller hound needs an experienced trainer. They are intelligent dogs that grasp commands fairly quickly, but they can be stubborn at times and that can impede training. Many breeders offer to train dogs for hunting and retrieving. Speak to your breeder about your requirements or enroll your pet in obedience classes. You must also housetrain your dog so that there will be fewer ‘accidents’ indoors. Show him where it is okay to eliminate in the yard. Housetraining and crate training can go hand-in-hand.
Always keep the training positive and reward-based. Hitting, shouting, punishing, and other negative methods will not show favorable results; instead, they could turn your dog aggressive or timid.
Exercise
This active dog needs a lot of physical exercise as well as mental stimulation. Without exercise, your Schillerstövare will get bored and indulge in unwanted behavior. If you plan to take your pet hunting, then that should provide him with all the exercise he needs. But if you have simply brought him as a household pet, then you must make sure to exercise him at least twice a day. Take him out for a walk or a jog for at least 30 minutes, twice a day. Hiking and swimming are some other exercises that are great for the Schiller Hound. You and the kids can also play a game of fetch with your pet.
Grooming
The Schiller Hound has a short coat that sticks close to its body and does not need too much grooming. Simply brush your pet once a week using a natural boar bristle brush or a grooming glove. These hardy dogs spend a lot of time outdoors, so make sure you bathe them when they get dirty. Use a reliable tick and flea protection and inspect your dog’s ears frequently to rule out infections. Brush his teeth once or twice a week to prevent oral problems.
Health concerns and lifespan
Since this is a relatively rare breed, no special diseases or health concerns have been reported in the Schiller Hound. The life expectancy of the breed is between 12 and 15 years.
Where to find a Schiller Hound
Finding a Schiller Hound rescue may be difficult since this is a relatively rare breed. You can look for a purebred Schiller Hound by contacting reputed breeders. A list of breeders can be found on this link. Many breeders also keep Schiller Hound beagle or a Schiller hound – German shepherd mixes.