Swiss Hound
About the Swiss Hound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 18-23" |
| 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 | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Swiss Hounds 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 Swiss Hound
The story behind the Swiss Hound
Scenthounds have been used in what is now Switzerland since antiquity, with Roman-era depictions suggesting a long presence of hunting dogs in the region, and distinct regional hound populations developed across the cantons over centuries. Italian and French hound blood is generally understood to have influenced their development through trade and proximity. By the nineteenth century several named varieties existed, distinguished mainly by colour and area, including the Bernese, Jura, Lucernese and Schwyz hounds. Swiss cynological authorities consolidated these into a single breed with four varieties in the twentieth century, sharing one standard; a fifth historic variety had already died out. The hounds are used for tracking hare, roe deer and fox in mountainous terrain, and a shorter-legged group was separately developed for enclosed country. The breed is well established in Switzerland and neighbouring regions but seldom seen elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Mountain trailing hound, hare and roe deer hunter, pack scenthound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Swiss Hound
Endurance work needs a nourishing ration, generous during hunting months and cut sharply when the season ends. Split it across two unhurried sittings with quiet time either side, and keep the outline spare and racy.
Watch for: No breed-specific food intolerance is recognised. Recurrent ear inflammation in these long-eared hounds is usually caused by moisture and restricted airflow rather than diet. Let a vet investigate before food is blamed or the diet is restricted.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Swiss Hound
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.