The Hanoverian Scenthound is a breed of dog used in hunting. They follow the prey using their nose. They come from Germany and they descend from a medieval type of dog known as “the liam hound”.
The Hanoverian Scenthound is a medium-sized dog with a robust constitution and a heavy body. Everything about this dog is massive and heavy. It is built for endurance and can resist working for hours without a single pause. This dog has a large head with a broad skull. The eyes are small and clear dark. The forehead is slightly wrinkled. The muzzle is elongated and powerful. The jaws are straight and strong and the lips are pendulous and rounded. The nose bridge is straight. Its nose is dark and has wide nostrils that are ready to sniff any breeze that passes through. The cheeks are prominent and muscled. The ears are large and flat and stay floppy. The neck is thick and muscular and the chest is deep rather than broad.
The back is straight and long and the legs are very muscular and solid. The short legs are ideal for this worker, because in this way it can track and chase with the help of its nose. The tail is long and thick. The skin of the hound is thick and wrinkled on the head and throat. The coat is short, dense and harsh. The colour of the coat is light to dark deer-red, sometimes with brindles.
There are some differences between the males and females - the latter are more supple and light, but they all generally stand 49-55 cm tall and weigh 25-40 kg.
This breed is extremely active and dynamic. It loves to hunt and work and prefers a long walk in the woods instead of a quick nap in a cosy bed. It needs space to do its job and hunt and it will not do well in an apartment. This hound was bred to stay outside and hunt and can live outdoors. It is very resistant and it is used with effort. This worker can deal with any kind of job. It needs to be trained from an early stage and to be socialized. Daily walks and rigorous exercises are required. It is good natured, but it tends to be very cautious towards strangers. It is very relaxed and calm around its family. It is suitable for families with older children. It can be very playful and cheery. The Hanoverian Scenthounds become attached to the family, sensitive and loyal.
The grooming is minimal, they need to be brushed from time to time and to be washed only when necessary. The ears must be checked regularly and to be kept clean and dry. They are very healthy in general and they do not suffer of any diseases. They can live about 12 years.
The Hanoverian Scenthound is a hard worker who is willing to work along a hunter or a dynamic family and to become a part of their lives.
