Swiss Hound
A lively, elegant Swiss scent hound in four coloured varieties, friendly at home and passionate on a trail.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 49–59 cm · Females 47–57 cm
- Weight
- 15–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Tricolour, Black and tan, Orange, White, Blue
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 59 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an elegant, friendly hound
- enjoy hiking and scent work
- live in the countryside
Think twice if you …
- need a quiet dog
- have cats or small pets
- are out most of the day
Care
Temperament
Friendly, affectionate and lively, with a strong passion for hunting and a clear voice.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour and a half of activity daily; tracking, scent work and hiking suit it well.
Grooming
The short coat needs only a weekly brush; check and clean the long ears regularly.
Training
Willing and affectionate but scent-driven; gentle, consistent, reward-based training works best.
Health
A healthy, athletic breed overall; ear infections and hip dysplasia occur occasionally. Hip and eye checks are sensible, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Swiss Hound is an old breed, with hounds of this type described in Switzerland centuries ago. It has four varieties, each named after a region and defined by colour: Bernese, Jura, Lucerne and Schwyz. They are used to hunt hare, fox and sometimes deer, usually working alone or in pairs.
It is a graceful, long-eared hound that is affectionate and gentle at home. It has plenty of stamina and a loud, melodious voice, and its hunting drive is strong. It suits active owners with secure space who enjoy long walks and scent activities.
Did you know?
Its four varieties are named after the Bernese, Jura, Lucerne and Schwyz regions, each with its own colouring.