Hamiltonstövare
The Hamiltonstövare is Sweden's most popular native dog breed — a handsome tricolour scent hound named after Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton, founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, who developed the breed in the late 19th century by crossing English Foxhounds with German hound breeds.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Sweden
Lifespan
14–17 years
Weight
23–27 kg (50–60 lbs)
Height
49–61 cm (19–24 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food appropriate for an active medium breed.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Hamiltonstövare is Sweden's most popular native dog breed — a handsome tricolour scent hound named after Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton, founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, who developed the breed in the late 19th century by crossing English Foxhounds with German hound breeds. Used for solo hunting of hare and fox in Swedish forests, the Hamiltonstövare hunts differently from pack hounds — it works alone, coursing game and baying to indicate the trail. The breed is Sweden's national dog in popular culture and one of the most familiar dogs in Scandinavia.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium-sized, well-proportioned scent hound of elegant appearance. The tricolour coat has precise boundaries — the black saddle, warm tan markings, and clean white blaze, chest, and feet are clearly defined. The coat is short, close, and weather-resistant. The overall impression is of a balanced, athletic hunting dog.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Friendly, gentle, and even-tempered — the Hamiltonstövare is unusually amenable for a scent hound. Good with children and other dogs. The scenting drive is strong — secure fencing and leash discipline essential. Calm indoors but needs substantial outdoor exercise.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
2/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
-10°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
20%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
baying, escape attempts, restlessness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous outdoor exercise daily. Low grooming needs. Secure fencing — the scenting instinct will override recall. The breed is sociable and adaptable to family life when properly exercised.
Nutrition Notes
Swedish hound. Healthy. Ear infections. Joint supplements.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia. Ear infections. Epilepsy rare. Sweden's most popular native breed. Beautiful tricolour. 12-14 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1100 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
800 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Epilepsy in some lines. Generally one of the healthier scent hound breeds. One of the longer-lived medium breeds when properly cared for.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Sweden's most popular native breed. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$1,000 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Hamiltonstövare is named after Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton — the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club in 1889 — making it one of the few breeds named directly after the person who established a national kennel club.
In Sweden the Hamiltonstövare hunts solo rather than in packs — a hunting style that requires the dog to independently track, course, and indicate game without relying on other dogs, developing greater individual intelligence and problem-solving ability than pack hounds.
