Schiller Hound (Schillerstövare)

The Schiller Hound is a sturdy and light-footed hunting dog that is ideally adapted to working in the freezing cold weather of its native Sweden. This vigorous and companionable dog also thrives in the role of a family pet. Nonetheless it’s very difficult to buy the breed’s puppy outside its homeland.

The Schillerstövare was originally bred in Sweden in the XIX century. Its creator was a large landowner and hunter named Per Shiller. His goal was to develop a canine variety, which would meet his conception about perfect sporting dog for Swedish hunting grounds. Shiller wanted his breed to have graceful appearance, vivacious nature, nice scent and great endurance. The final result of his efforts was an ultimate hunter with fast legs and impeccable work ethic.

The Schiller Hound inherited its exceptional hunting drive from the renowned hound of the Kaflas estate. Its originator brought these dogs from southern Germany. Subsequently Schiller crossed them with indigenous hounds in order to improve the breed’s exterior. The Swiss Hound and the Harrier also played a significant role in the development of the Schillerstövare.

Presently the breed enjoys the reputation of the fastest hound in Scandinavia. It’s primarily utilised to track fox and rabbits and copes splendidly with its responsibilities. It’s also praised for its ability to traverse huge distances of snowbound terrain without the slightest sign of weariness. The Schiller Hound is a lonely hunter meaning it doesn’t require any help from its counterparts to trace the prey.

This elegant yet powerful hound attained recognition of the Swedish Kennel Club in 1913. The Fédéracion Cynologique Internationale (FCI) began registering its specimens in 1955. Nonetheless its modern standard was drawn up only in 1997. The United Kennel Club (UKC) followed the lead of the FCI in 2006. In spite of such a wide international acknowledgment the Schiller Hound remains rare even in its home country since only near 200 puppies are registered annually in the Swedish Kennel Club. Thanks to its docile and quit demeanour, in Sweden the dog is also frequently acquired strictly for companionship.

The Schillerstövare is a calm, but strong-willed and self-assured dog that needs strong leadership from its human masters. That’s why it’s fair to say that it won’t make a suitable companion for a novice canine fancier. Timely and thorough socialisation will ensure its patient attitude to familiar children although this breed isn’t prone to develop gentle affection to them. On the whole it becomes a one-person dog and implicitly obeys only to its favourite human.

The Schiller Hound stands aloof from unknown people but it would rather prefer to flee in a conflict situation than to attack the offender. Acute hearing allows this dog to notice every minor change in its environment and then it usually forewarns about them its owners. So it copes well with the duties of a watcher. At the same time this breed is fairly ineffective in the role of a guardian because of its unaggressive temperament.

Dominant personality of the Schillerstövare frequently leads to confrontations with its congeners. But once pack hierarchy is properly established this dog will peaceably live with one or several other canines. Other types of animals are in the great danger in the presence of this passionate hunter so it isn’t wise to introduce it in the household with the pre-existing non-canine pets. A great deal of training is required to make this dog to tolerate an individual household cat.

The most common problems for the breed include:

· hip dysplasia;

· ear infections.

The maintenance of the Schillerstövare consists of standard procedures only. Its short and rough upper coat will preserve its natural beautiful sheen only with weekly brushing. The breed needs very occasional bathing since its waterproof fur doesn’t get dirty very easily.

Careful examination of the dog’s ears and hair should be performed after each and every hunting expedition in order to avoid infestation with flees and mites. Remember to trim the nails of your pet every other month as well as brush its teeth at least once a week.

The Schiller Hound has an independent character so its training is associated with certain difficulties. The dog got used to be in charge of the situation and won’t look up to the person without natural leadership skills. Make sure to keep training sessions short, amusing and regular and your efforts will finally pay off.

Additionally, any variety of negative reinforcement will destroy the mutual understanding between you and your pet and must be avoided at all costs. Encourage the dogs’ interest with its favourite food and generous praise.

The Schillerstövare is endowed with a lean and well-muscled body that craves for vigorous exercises on a daily basis. Several potty strolls are insufficient to satisfy the curious nature of this dog so it must be provided with a regular opportunity to frisk in a well-fenced yard.

Moreover an apartment dweller won’t be able to devote necessary attention to the physical and mental stimulation of his pet. It’s advisable to keep the Schiller Hound exclusively in the countryside where it would have an adequate space for running and playing. All under exercised breed’s specimens are susceptible to such behavioural deviations as incessant barking and unmotivated aggressiveness.