Smalandsstovare
About the Smalandsstovare
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 17-21" |
| Weight | 33-44 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
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Smalandsstovares 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 Smalandsstovare
The story behind the Smalandsstovare
The breed comes from the Smaland region of southern Sweden, where farmers and smallholders kept small black-and-tan hounds for hunting hare and fox, generally working a single dog rather than a pack. The type had existed regionally for a long period before organised breeding began. Swedish enthusiasts set out in the early twentieth century to preserve and standardise the local hound, and a breed standard was drawn up in the 1920s, with further consolidation later in the century as numbers fell dangerously low. Both long and short tailed dogs occur naturally within the breed. Recognised internationally, it is nevertheless among Sweden's rarest native breeds, with modest annual registrations and a population concentrated almost entirely within the Nordic countries, where it is still used for its original hunting purpose.
Originally bred for: Hare hunter, fox hunter, solo working scenthound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Smalandsstovare
A complete diet suited to an active medium hound works well, with portions raised during the hunting season and reduced when activity drops, since these dogs gain weight quietly. Two daily meals and honest condition checks around the ribs keep them in working shape.
Watch for: No breed-specific sensitivity pattern is documented for this rare Swedish hound. Ordinary caution applies to diet changes, made gradually. Persistent skin or digestive issues should be discussed with a vet before any ingredient is removed from the diet.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Smalandsstovare
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.