Schillerstovare

Hound Group Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-24"
Weight 40-55 lbs
Lifespan 10-14 years
Price $800-$1,500

About the Schillerstovare

The Schillerstovare, or Schiller Hound, is a Swedish scenthound bred to trail fox and hare alone across snowy country, working ahead of the hunter and announcing the chase with a ringing voice. It is reputed to be among the faster Scandinavian hounds, a lean black-and-tan dog with the build of a distance athlete. At home, the breed is described as affectionate and attached to its family — these hounds were traditionally kept as house companions between hunts rather than in kennels, and they crave inclusion. With that comes hound reality: a superb nose, a will to follow it, and a voice built to carry. Fenced areas and long leashed outings are the sensible framework, and daily exercise needs are substantial. The short, harsh coat needs almost no care beyond weekly brushing. Because the breed is uncommon even in Sweden and rarely exported, most published detail comes from its home country, and would-be owners abroad should expect a long search. For hunters and very active rural homes, it is a capable, personable working hound.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Easy to Train
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-24"
Weight 40-55 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $800-$1,500
Annual Cost $1,200/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Schillerstovares may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners
  • Long Work Hours Away

Guides for your Schillerstovare

The story behind the Schillerstovare

The Schillerstovare is named for Per Schiller, a Swedish farmer and hunter who exhibited hounds of this type at Sweden's first dog shows in the 1880s. The breed was developed from local Swedish hunting hounds blended with hounds brought from continental Europe, with the aim of producing a fast, hardy dog that could trail fox and hare solo over snow — a hunting style typical of Scandinavia, where packs are little used. The Swedish Kennel Club recognized the breed around the turn of the twentieth century, and it is accepted by the FCI. The Schillerstovare has remained primarily a working hunter's dog in Sweden and is rarely encountered elsewhere.

Originally bred for: Fox and hare tracking, Scent trailing, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Schillerstovare

A fast Swedish scenthound built lightly for long winter tracking, wanting energy-dense food across working months and clearly smaller portions once the season closes. Two meals daily, given well before or after hunting, suit its build.

Watch for: No documented breed-specific reaction to particular ingredients. Hard-running hounds sometimes pass loose stools after competition days from stress rather than true intolerance. A veterinarian should review anything lasting beyond a couple of days.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Schillerstovare

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Schillerstovare with Other Breeds

Compare Breeds

vs