The Dunker is a Norwegian scenthound that is rare in most of the world, seen mostly in Norway and Sweden. There are only about 150 born every year, however people who own them recognized the raw talent and wonderful nature of this uncommon breed. Bred in the late 1800’s to hunt hare by a man named Wilhelm Dunker (the breed’s namesake), this is an excellent hunting dog with a talented nose. Known for the special talent of being capable of hunting even in heavy snow during the winter months, this is a great choice for those who live and hunt in colder regions of the world. The cold-weather aptitude was the reason this dog was created in the first place!

Medium in size, the Dunker tend to fit into most average-sized homes. They have a powerful frame that is sturdy and robust, and low-set hanging ears. One of the most unique and interesting physical aspects of these hounds is the color – which is either black or blue marbled with pale fawn and white markings. The coat itself is fairly short (without being too short), dense and hard to the touch. It is this thick and protective coat that keeps him warm in the intense cold.

Dunkers can be vocal when actively hunting. If living without enough mental and physical stimulation, they can also become problematic barkers/howlers. In the home they are easygoing and gentle a long as they are provided enough exercise and plenty of time outside! As pack hunting hounds, they get along very well with other dogs. They are also friendly with people as well (including strangers), and get along great with kids with whom they are tolerant and forgiving. In fact, this is a poor choice for a guard dog because of their overly friendly and trusting nature. With their family they form strong, loyal bonds. Like many scenthounds, they are iffy in home with cats and small pets because of a high prey drive. Socializing them to cats from a young age may help… or it may make no difference, depending upon the line and the individual hound.

Dunkers do best in homes with backyards for them to run around in, and neighbors that are spaced well apart (because of the barking). Owners won’t need to worry too much about grooming, as it is an easy and quick chore, however the thick coat will shed rather profusely throughout the hotter parts of the year. A bath every month and a half, combined with a good brush out once or twice a week will help to pull the dead coat out and reduce shedding somewhat. A weekly tooth brushing and nail trimming, combined with weekly ear cleaning, will complete the grooming routine.

Dunkers are independent-minded however do have a talent for learning and can easily be taught obedience by owners willing to put in the time. Owners need to possess patience, however, as Dunkers can also be fairly stubborn when they don’t feel like training! Furthermore a high prey drive means the brain will turn off when the nose turns on – the appearance of (or odor of) a prey animal is a distraction of the highest order! This means that off-leash training will be a difficult endeavor, and some hounds will never be completely reliable when off lead. Those experienced in living with and training scenthounds will have an easier time teaching this hound than pure novices. Persistence and patience are definitely key, as well as knowing when to be firm and stand your ground about household rules!

Dunkers requires a lot of daily exercise, however can make good companions for active individuals – particularly for those who hunt. Owners who do not hunt will have a harder time satisfying the physical and mental needs of this breed – as he has been bred to work rather than strictly as a pet. He was created to have lots of stamina in order to track for miles, which can be difficult to replicate for many non-hunting households. A walk around the block is not good enough – this hound requires at least an hour of jogging, or an equivalent amount of activity daily. Be prepared for a lot of fetch and Frisbee to supplement those jogging sessions! Without adequate exercise, he can become destructive and very frustrating to live with.

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The Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound is a scenthound originally used to hunt wild boar and deer in large packs. They can endure difficult terrain with ease and have excellent noses for scenting game. This is one of the seven Anglo-French hound breeds – which essentially means their ancestors were mixes of French and Anglo (English) hounds combined to create an ideal hunting dog. The standard was written in 1957 at which point they were considered a purebred dog. These hounds need a job to do, specifically hunting, and for this reason they are not normally kept as solely companions. Without a chance to hunt they can become bored and very difficult to live with.

Anglo-French White and Blacks are a rare breed, not only in American but even in their home country of France. They are recognized by the UKC in the States however are rarely if ever seen. This is most likely due to their difficulty as being pets. Not only are most dog-owners not in a position to take a dog hunting, but the general public is not normally set up to house a pack of hounds or give them the tremendous amount of exercise that they need. These scenthounds were bred to have incredible stamina which is great in a hunting situation but can be a nightmare if kept in the city! This is definitely not an apartment dog!

The Anglo-French White and Black Hound is intelligent but has a persistent nature when it comes to anything having to do with hunting. This means that he is easily distracted by interesting scents making obedience training difficult. He is also independent-minded and not one for whom taking orders comes naturally. Potential owners should take note, as this is a long-lived hound which will require some degree of management and training his whole life (average lifespan is 12-14 years). Experienced owners are recommended for this large and stubborn brute!

White the Anglo-French White and Black can be gentle and friendly, this is not an overly demonstrative dog in terms of affection. Nor is it a breed known for its playfulness or, on the opposite spectrum, calmness. As might be expected from a hound bred so extensively for hunting, he puts his job before everything else. Add in the fact that he can be very loud, prone to wandering or escaping the property, and fully dependent upon a hunting lifestyle and it become apparent that this would be a horrible choice for a first-time dog owner! As this hound is also both strong-bodied and strong-willed, he shouldn’t be owned by an elderly or otherwise frail person.

Great Anglo-French White and Blacks are not the best family dogs when small children are around, but they are fine with older kids and extremely good with other dogs. In fact, having only one hound can cause issues as this breed practically requires dog companionship to be happy. It doesn’t need to be a dog of the same breed, or even the same size! Sex doesn’t normally matter either, as their super social nature makes them just as likely to bond with males and females alike. Like other scenthounds, cats or other small pets are not a great household combo because of their high prey drive. With strange people they can be aloof and wary at first, but will quickly become friendly once they warm up.

The Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound, despite the name, often has tan markings as well as the white and black patterning making this a tri-colored dog. Furthermore, blue ticking or roaning is also occasionally seen. Hounds can be seen either heavily marked (with a black blanket covering all of the back) or broken black patches across the body. The coat itself is short and dense, and sheds moderately. This is a beautiful hound that can thrive in right home and while making a fantastic hunting partner, but definitely has very specific requirements.

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The Grand Griffon Vendeen was bred to be a pack-hunting hound for game like stag, wild boar, deer and fox. This French scenthound is very old (with ancestors from the 16th century) and is the largest of the four Griffon Vendeen breeds. This is a sociable, outgoing dog that doubles as a top-notch hunter. He requires an owner who can give him the extensive exercise he needs, as well as who understands the quirks of owning a scenthound (independent and prone to following their noses at even the most inopportune of times). While he can be a lot to handle, he can do well for an experienced owner that understand the work that needs to be put in!

The Grand Griffon is well known for his sense of smell, and he can use it to get himself into trouble by following a variety of interesting scents! Unlike the breeds utilized to work with people, the Grand Griffon is known for his “selective deafness” when he’s hot on the trail. This means he’s a much harder dog to train, especially for the novice owner who will likely end up frustrated. It is recommended to start early and make training fun, perhaps even incorporating scentwork into his training! This breed (like many breeds) does need a job to do and requires at least basic training and mental stimulation to keep him out of trouble. Dogs that are oftentimes bored can easily become diggers, chewers, problematic barkers, and/or otherwise destructive. Keep in mind that the breed is smart… but he is also willful and needs a firm owner who understands how to work with scenthounds.

Grand Griffons are a rare breed in America and not recognized by the AKC, although they are recognized by UKC and many of the registries overseas. With a magnificent appearance, affectionate nature and easygoing personality, this is somewhat of a “hidden gem” for those who have the energy to keep up! This said, they do have some downsides as mentioned above. In addition, as with many scenthounds, the Grand Griffon doesn’t always play nicely with small animals (other than dogs), due to their hunting nature. They also can be escape artists, usually due to them following their noses over or under the fence which means containment must be secure!

Grand Griffon Vendeens are normally gentle with children, great with other dogs, don’t tend to shed profusely nor need extensive grooming. With enough exercise, they are calm in the home. They can also be protective in extreme circumstances but are otherwise docile and non-aggressive. These traits, combined with their generally happy and friendly natures – even with strangers, can lead to them being a great family dog in the right setting! Right setting meaning experienced, active owners who ideally live in homes with large fenced yards.

The active Grand Griffon requires at least an hour a day of vigorous exercise. The workout is even better if it also features ways to engage the mind as well as the body, such as hunting (preferred), agility or canicross (cross country running). Overall this is an energetic and healthy breed with few health issues in general. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy and patellar luxation have popped up in some lines but overall most individuals are vigorous and active for many years. The average life expectancy is 12-13 years.

The coat of the Grand Griffon Vendeen is an important physical trait. It should be medium in length, coarse and hard in texture, with a dense undercoat. There should be obvious eyebrows and moustache on the face. Colors include white/black, white/orange, black/tan, fawn with black overlay, tricolor – or what are called “traditional colors” of hare, badger, wolf or wild boar. Other features of this hound include being large and robust without being overly heavy, a deep chest, domed skull, low-set and long pendulous ears, a long muzzle, and a long tail carried in a sabre fashion.

Photo By Canarian; image editing Anka Friedrich

The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois was bred down from the Grand Gascon-Saintongeois by means of the Airegeois and other medium-sized dogs of the region. He was used as a multi-purpose pack hunter who was adept at hunting all sizes of game although usually specialized in smaller game such as hare. The “Petit” in his name does not refer to his size, but rather to his specialty for small animal hunting. Today, this is one of France’s rarest dog breeds and even more rare here in the United States despite being recognized by the UKC.

Petit Gascons are affectionate and happy companions; friendly to all family members while being patient with children. They can be easy to live with when their needs are met, however they are a lot of work if the owner isn’t using the dog for hunting purposes. While known for their stable temperaments, they are also high energy! They do need lots of exercise and a physical job to do – ideally one that involves their nose and their hunting nature! They are known for their persistent and steadfast hunting traits; traits which are inborn and need an outlet. Furthermore they need to live in a home with a yard in which they can stretch their legs. This is not a good match for apartments or even small homes.

The Petit Gascon-Saintongeois is a medium sized breed with a short, tight coat. Always white with black patches (sometimes openly speckled or ticked) and tan points on the face, ears and legs. Occasionally a dog will have a “dead leaf” marking on the thigh called a “roe buck mark”. The breed should give the overall appearance of having both muscular force as well as elegance. For the head and expression, the hound’s brown eyes should show an expression of gentleness and trust. The characteristic hanging ears should be low set and extremely long, long enough to reach the nose or beyond when pulled forward. The tail is also long and carried like a sabre.

The Petit Gascon lives an average of 12-14 years and is a very healthy breed in general with no common health issues known. Having only minimal grooming needs, and shedding very little, a weekly brushing will keep the coat shiny and healthy. Like other hanging-eared breeds, ears do need to be checked and cleaned weekly. Eyes should be checked and cleaned after hunting to be sure no brush or grit has gotten caught in them.

The Petit Gascon-Saintongois can be easy to train as he is agreeable and docile. He wants to please his owner whether it be through playing the part of watchdog, children’s playmate, hunting companion or learning obedience. He is intelligent and tends to learn quickly, although take note that like most scenthounds, he can also be fairly stubborn! Owners should be patient, consistent, and ideally already experienced with training scenthound breeds. While he isn’t the type of dog that will push all the limits to see what he can get away with, he is the type of dog that become bored or distracted easily.

Like many scenthounds, the Petit Gascon can be iffy when it comes to living with cats. He is very social and enjoys the company of humans and other dogs, however cats can trigger the chase instinct. He also might not be the “life of the party” when it comes to strangers. Not that he is aggressive, rather he may be standoffish at first until he is able to gauge the intents of a new person. This is not a guard dog nor a yard patrol-type of hound. He will announce people at the door and then go back to his business afterward. His primary jobs in his own mind (we can surmise), is that of hunter extraordinaire firstly and affectionate companion secondarily.

Photo By Jérôme BARDIAU

The Griffon Nivernais was originally used by farmers in central France to control the wild boar and wolf populations from encroaching onto their properties. This wirehaired scenthound is a specialist when it comes to hunting the wild boar, and has been doing so for hundreds of years! After the French Revolution, numbers dwindled and it was only through crossing the breed with English Foxhounds and the Grand Griffon Vendeen that this breed was able to survive. This increased his size as well as his speed. The Nivernais is quick on his feet when he needs to be, but retains a great endurance for working as well. Historically, the breed would often hunt at night either alone or in a pack and although his specialty is boar, he is able to hunt small game as well.

The Nivernais is said to be “difficult to discipline” because of his independence and his high prey drive which causes him to get distracted easily. It can also be hard to train him to be silent as he is a naturally loud hound. This said, he should be given obedience training starting early in life and ideally also given regular mental exercise to keep his brain sharp. Dog sports such as tracking are great ways to work out both his body and mind! Keep in mind that scenthounds benefit from staying on lead or in a fenced area if they haven’t been given extensive off-leash training lessons as they are very likely to go chasing after prey-type animals even with the owner present. The Nivernais is very stubborn and single-minded when he catches scent of something interested and more prone than other breeds to ignore a recall command.

Griffon Nivernais are medium to large in size. The coat is a distinctive feature and is medium to medium-long in length, rough textured, and shaggy in appearance. There is a semi-prominent amount of hair on the face giving the breed a mustache, beard and eyebrows reminiscent of an old man. The body is rectangular in shape, being slightly longer than tall. The ears hang to the sides of the face and are long enough to reach the nose when pulled forward. Colors are distinctive and include several shades of gray/tan (including wolf gray, blue gray, and wild boar gray complemented with tan points on the head and legs), or fawn (mixed with white and blacks).

Nivernais enjoy the outdoors and are always up for whatever physical activity is given to them, so they are only recommended for active families living in homes with fenced yards. They need a lot of exercise in order to be happy and well-behaved and otherwise might be too active of a dog for sedentary owners. An hour a day is considered the minimum amount of time needed although two hours is preferable. When out on walks, prospective owners should expect to be approached often as these dogs are crowd-pleasers both because of appearance and rarity! This is a very rare breed that, although is recognized by the UKC, is infrequently seen outside of France.

The Griffon Nivernais is fearless when it comes to facing down some of the most dangerous predators, however is friendly and affectionate with his human family. He gets along with children and is fairly patient, although needs supervision around younger kids. He may take a while longer to warm up to strangers but is not known for being an aggressive breed. A properly bred, properly raised Nivernais has a stable, down-to-earth temperament. He does need the regular companionship of his owners, however, and doesn’t like to be alone.

The Nivernais generally lives around 11-14 years and is a very healthy breed overall, particularly his nose and sense of smell! His coat doesn’t shed a particularly large amount nor does it require a ton of grooming. A good brushing once or twice a week is recommended, although the coat should be periodically stripped a few times a year like many wirehaired coats. He also benefits from having the hair around his eyes trimmed just enough to keep it from bending into his eyes, and keeping hair plucked from the ears will help air circulate and prevent ear infections. With a bit of learning, an owner can learn to do all of this upkeep themselves.

Photo By Alephalpha

The Beagle Harrier was developed in 19th century France. It is speculated (although not fully known) that this breed came about by a mixture of both the Beagle and the Harrier – but make no mistake, this is a breed unto its own and is not a mixed breed as some “armchair quarterback” dog websites proclaim. They are quite rare and in the United States are only recognized by the UKC – even then, they are rarely seen in this country. This pack-hunting scenthound was originally bred to hunt hare, deer and fox and can still do these jobs today.

Beagle Harriers are loyal companions and are good both with other pets as well as children. Like other pack-hunters, they do best with another dog in the family. Cats might be accepted as family or they might be chased – for best results raise the puppy with cats to mitigate future problems. With people the breed is affectionate and playful. Like most hunting scenthounds, however, they need lots of exercise and work best in properties that have plenty of space. Exercise should be daily as well as fairly vigorous in order to wear them out – and keep in mind that they will need to be kept on lead when in public areas. Prospective owners should realize the breed is determined and gamey so while they can make great companions they will exhibit sniffing, chasing and hunting behaviors.

The Beagle Harrier can make an adequate watchdog as he does tend to vocalize when people arrive on the property. He’s less of a barker and more of a howler, and his loud bay can carry far and wide! This does not mean that he is likely to defend the house if someone makes their way inside as he’s not really a guard dog, nor an aggressive breed. But his loud bays will deter many would-be intruders in the same way that car alarms send criminals scurrying off to a quieter target…. When not keeping an eye out the window (watching for new friends or woodland creatures alike), he is usually fairly calm in the home assuming his exercise needs are always met.

Beagle Harriers are fairly well-mannered in the home and aren’t normally prone to excessive dominance struggles. They simply enjoy spending time with their families inside or out. When outside, however, take note that they may turn into escape artists if tempted by an enticing smell. They can turn very quickly from a calm, almost lazy hound to a spirited and determined animal intent on the hunt! Tall, secure fences are a must! Because of their love of hunting they do best when given structured games involving scent, and especially thrive when taken on actual hunting expeditions. The Beagle Harrier is intelligent although independent and prone to being distracted easily. Obedience training may be more difficult than with other breeds of dog. Even so, teaching a reliable recall is essential for this high prey-driven hound as it may come in handy one day!

Beagle Harriers are medium sized dogs that live about 12-13 years. They have hanging ears set at eye level and which are slightly longer than that of the Harrier. The tail is long and carried in a sabre fashion above the topline. The coat is short, thick and flat; and is always tricolor of one variation or another which may include grey tricolor or white grey tricolor. The skull is rather broad, with a muzzle that slowly tapers toward the end without being pointed. The general appearance is one of classical elegance, with a muscular build – size and appearance halfway between…. obviously the Beagle and the Harrier.

The Beagle Harrier has a short coat that is easy to groom, sheds only moderately and requires baths on an infrequent basis. A weekly brushing, nail trim and ear cleaning should take practically no time at all. Breeds with hanging ears need a little more examination and cleaning than other types of dogs, but doing this exam on a weekly schedule is easy for the vast majority of owners to do. This is one reason why they can be a good choice for a novice dog owner looking for an active breed.

The Polish Hound is a large scenthound breed with an excellent sense of smell and the ability to hunt in harsh environments. Developed in the middle ages by crossing Bloodhounds with local Polish breeds, at one point they were even owned by Polish nobility! When World War 2 occurred, many breeds saw a huge decrease in numbers and the Polish Hound was no exception. In an attempt to save the breed, two distinct types emerged – one lighter boned and the other with a heavier substance. It is the heavier strain that eventually succeeded in becoming the Polish Hound of today.

The Polish Hound is a slow-maturing breed mentally, and does have a stubborn streak to boot, but is definitely trainable. He is intelligent and enjoys pleasing his owners. When it comes to obedience training he does best when he thinks that training is all his idea! Make training fun, positive and consistent for best results. A bit of patience is a good trait for owners to have, particularly while the dog is still young and learning. He can be somewhat sensitive and does best when training is firm without being harsh. Finally, this is a breed that needs a job to do, so be prepared to provide this in the form of hunting, scentwork or general obedience.

The Polish Hound is always loyal and friendly to those whom he knows. He has a gentle nature and gets along well with children, with whom he is very patient. Likewise he gets along with other dogs and new people although does have a territorial streak for those who enter his property meaning he is somewhat protective without being overly aggressive. Think of him more as a watchdog than a guard dog. While his primary purpose is that of a hunting dog, he can make a fantastic companion as his energy level is more suitable for home living compared to other scenthounds.  He is a bit of a well-kept secret outside of Poland for most people have never heard of this rare breed (recognized by the UKC but not the AKC).

Although not a hyper dog, the Polish Hound does need regular exercise. At the bare minimum, a vigorous game of fetch should be played every day combined with a nice walk. More ideally, an hour of jogging the neighborhood followed up by a romp in the fenced backyard is probably a better fit for this high-stamina hunter. As a somewhat large hunting dog, he does best living in larger spaces where he can “stretch his legs”. He doesn’t necessarily demand a giant property but apartment living is not the greatest lifestyle for him. He does best with owners that are at least somewhat active and are capable of providing both physical and mental stimulation on a regular basis. Without exercise he will get bored and most likely will become very loud!

Like any breed, the Polish Hound does have some setbacks in terms of ownership. First is his enthusiasm with using his voice, which is a trait that cannot really be trained away. This is similar to other scenthounds – complete with the extra loud voice box and a gleeful penchant for frequent baying. Second, as a hunting breed he doesn’t tend to get along well with cats unless raised with them from puppyhood. Cats that live indoors are normally safer than those who are allowed outside, as an outdoor chase is often too exciting to refuse for a Polish Hound! In addition, similar to other scenthounds he is very motivated to follow his nose after exciting scents. For this reason he must be kept within the confines of a fence when not on leash.

Polish Hounds live, on average, 13-14 years. They are a very healthy breed in general and are easy to care for in terms of both health and grooming. With brushing, a once-a-week session should be sufficient to remove dead hair. On rare occasions he’ll need a bath if he’s been getting himself muddy. Make sure to clean the ears each week and check for infections – particularly if the dog often hunts or plays in heavy brush. Overall these are all easy grooming tasks that most dog owners can accomplish. Health wise, the breed isn’t known for any specific health issues although it’s not a bad idea to take precautions against bloat as they are a deep-chested breed. Bred to work long hours in adverse conditions, the breed evolved into a hardy and low-maintenance animal.

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The Posavac Hound is a scenthound from Croatia, and is an ancient breed whose origins are not completely known. There is speculation that he is represented in ancient texts (or at least resembles dogs from ancient texts) from as far back as the late 15th century. Official documentation started in 1929, and he was recognized by the FCI in 1955. In the United States he is recognized by the UKC but is almost never seen and is considered a rare breed. Created to hunt both hare and fox, he is said to have great stamina in the field as well as possess an excellent nose for tracking.

Posavacs have great hunting drives and are confident and lively – they need plenty of exercise to be happy. Without it, they can become nervous or overly excitable which makes them difficult to live with. When properly exercised they are docile and easy to keep in the home. This means they’re problematic for apartment life unless the owner is very dedicated to putting in lots of time every day with higher impact fitness routines such as biking. Remember – this is a high energy dog originally used for hunting all day! He is not a couch potato and will probably prove frustrating for low-energy owners.

The Posavac Hound can be obedient when trained as he is naturally agreeable. He is intelligent and enjoys learning. It behooves an owner to give him a job which will therefore help with mental stimulation – tasks such as search and rescue, tracking or nosework are right up his alley since he enjoys using his nose! As far as non-nose related jobs, agility and rally are both fun dog sports that he can enjoy as well.

The Posavac can make a good watchdog since he enjoys using his voice, but is also affectionate to his family and enjoys playing with children. The standard states he should never be aggressive nor nervous. This “melodic” hound, like many scenthounds, will bay/howl under many different circumstances – one of which is when strangers come to the door. While he probably won’t be any good as a guard dog, his vocal nature can be a deterrent to many would-be intruders.

Posavac Hounds are fairly healthy and not prone to any particular health issues although are more likely then other breeds to be hit by a car due to wandering off while following their noses. Make sure to keep this high-drive sniffer on a leash when off the property! When properly taken care of, the average life expectancy is 12-13 years. Given a large fenced yard supplemented with daily exercise, he will thrive both mentally as well as physically.

The Posavac is a loyal and devoted companion that forms very strong bonds with those they love. In fact, they are more prone to separation anxiety than some other breeds because of their strong will to stay near their “favorite person”. A savvy owner can minimize this problem with early training and behavior work, although this is probably not the best breed for people who spend all day at work.

Posavac Hounds are medium in size and any shade of red or wheaten, most often with white markings on the head, neck, chest, legs and tail. The coat is smooth yet dense and requires very minimal grooming – a weekly brushing and a bath when needed will keep him shiny and clean. Ears are thin and hang beside the head; they will require weekly cleaning. The tail is long and carried in a saber fashion, often with a brush of longer hair at the end. The white teeth that meet in a scissors bite will require regular brushing. Finally, make sure to keep the nails trimmed and that’s about it as far as grooming!

Photo By Strojovodjazg

Bred by the Stephens family as a strain of Mountain Cur, the Stephen’s Stock Cur eventually became distinct enough to warrant recognition as it’s own breed. Always dark in color (all black or mostly black), this is an American breed from Kentucky used to hunt squirrel and raccoon. Occasionally a pack of Stephens will even be used on larger game such as mountain lions or bears! They are excellent at tracking, even on cold trails, and are also known for their “good voices” (read: they can be loud when excited). The vast majority of “little blacks”, as they are fondly called, are kept in hunting homes. Curs are a sub-type of scenthound and are frequently high in prey drive since the majority of the population are still used for their original purpose.

While the Stephen’s Cur is too high-energy and has too strong of a hunting instinct to be kept solely as a family pet, he can be kept as a house companion by those who will take him hunting regularly. Indeed, he has many traits which makes him a wonderful companion to those who can meet his needs. He is affectionate and loyal, including with children. He has a happy demeanor and should never be aggressive as long as he is socialized correctly. He is a polite (although reserved) dog in public, a calm dog at home (when given exercise and a hunting job), and a brave dog in the field. Many Stephen’s Stock Curs get along well with other dogs. This is also one of the rarer breeds that can be ok with living outdoors as long as they have adequate shelter. Finally he also makes a good watchdog as he is suspicious of strangers coming onto the property and will sound the alarm when this happens.

The Stephen’s Stock can be easy to train for the most part although care should be taken around small animals that may be seen as prey. A prey animal nearby means all bets are off unless plenty of distraction-training has been completed. He does need firm leadership, early socialization and plenty of exercise as a baseline to compliment any formal obedience training for best results. As mentioned above, he needs a job and while obedience is important and recommended, he probably won’t be happy unless also allowed to hunt. For those owners who enjoy competition, coon hunting trials are a dog sport in which the breed enjoys and thrives!

While the Stephen’s Cur enjoys running off-lead when hunting in rural areas, he needs to be walked on leash when in an area with cars. Regular daily walks should always include a leash as he is apt to go running off at the first interesting odor. Prepare to exercise him for at least 90 minutes a day, especially on days when he isn’t hunting! This may come in the form of jogging, swimming, physically/mentally stimulating games, hiking, extended walks and/or sports that incorporate using his nose.

Stephen’s Stocks are small to medium-sized dogs with short double coats which may be solid black or with white markings that make up no more than 1/3rd of their total color. They require very little in terms of grooming although their hanging ears should be checked and cleaned regularly – particularly after they have been out hunting. Nail trimming must be done like with all dogs and a good brushing should be given once a week or so.

The Stephen’s Cur is a rare breed even in the United States, although is recognized by the UKC. Some of their rarity is due to their unsuitability for the majority of households – needing to live in more rural areas and requiring plenty of property to run around in. Their insatiable desire to work makes them both highly sought after by some, as well as highly avoided by others. Overall however, many American have never even heard of this breed unless they live in the south. In which case they can be said to be a well-kept secret by hunting enthusiasts.

The Finnish Hound’s first standard was drafted in 1932, and they have been recognized by the UKC since the 1990’s although are still a rare breed in the United States. In Finland, however, they are actually a very popular breed! They were developed from various Finnish breeds combined with European hounds to create a hunter that could work in Finnish-specific terrain (snowy and hilly). This scenthound has been traditionally used for hunting both fox and hare. They have an exceptional nose and are adept at tracking scents both airborne as well as on the ground. They hunt independently of the hunter, but will bark eagerly once they are engaged in a hunt to alert the hunter they are “on the track”.

Finnish Hounds are friendly and have relaxed temperaments – at least until they are engaged in a hunt! They are owned more often by hunters than the “pet community” as they have very high prey drives which can make ownership more difficult. Although they are more likely to be found with a hunter, it is not unheard of for them to be owned as pets. They have many great qualities as companions including their polite house manners, ease of traveling in cars, and obedient natures when trained. They get along well with children as well as other pets. This said, they may not be the best choice as a first dog for novice owners, as they can be extremely stubborn when they want to be. Also Finnish Hounds tend to bond very closely with their owners and can be prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long periods.

While most Finnish Hounds are healthy, there are a few afflictions that plague the breed. Skin problems, cerebellar ataxia (a disorder of the nervous system), cancer, and Factor VII Deficiency (a clotting disorder) are unfortunately in many lines. Furthermore, behaviorally it is somewhat common to find excessive shyness in the breed. This means that potential owners must do their due diligence when looking for a puppy, and must seek out reputable breeders who are honest about their dogs and expectations for litters. The average lifespan is 11-12 years.

The Finnish Hound resembles a large Beagle, or many of the various Foxhound and hare-hunting breeds that the general public may be more familiar with. The coat is smooth, yet dense and harsh to the touch. The always-tricolor coat is a double coat that sheds a medium amount. The chest is deep with a visible forechest. The body is slightly longer than tall and while somewhat muscular, is not overly boxy. This medium sized breed is easy to groom and care for, rarely requiring baths. A good brushdown once a week is usually sufficient to keep the coat shiny.

The Finnish Hound does require plenty of exercise as he was bred to hunt for hours at a time, on consecutive days, without tiring. This energetic hound needs daily walks combined with time to run free in a fenced area – at minimum. Best case scenario is one in which the dog is also taken hunting on a regular basis! It should be obvious, but in case it’s not… this is not a breed for someone living in an apartment.

The Finnish Hound should be introduced to obedience training early in his life. While he can take well to training, like most scenthounds he can quickly lose interest if met with an prey-like distraction! For most novice owners he can be difficult in general to train, being independent and generally more interested in hunting than following commands. He also requires an owner/trainer who is firm (yet fair) while maintaining house rules. This doesn’t mean the task is impossible however, just that owners should be prepared to be patient. Off-leash training in particular can be extra difficult for this wanderlust-y hound.

Photo By EtäKärppä