The Hamiltonstövare (or Hamilton Hound) is a

breed A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist several slig ...

of scenthound originally developed by the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club, Count Adolf Hamilton. Its ancestors include several German hounds as well as English Foxhounds and Harriers. The breed is recognized by the

Swedish Kennel Club Svenska Kennelklubben (SKK, en, Swedish Kennel Club) is a Sweden, Swedish organization dedicated to purebred dogs, and dog owners. It was formed on 13 December 1889 by a group of noblemen and hunters with the aim to maintain the capability of goo ...

, Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the

American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. In addition to maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kenn ...

's Foundational Stock Service.

Appearance

Characteristics

The Hamiltonstövare is a medium-sized dog with a well-balanced and muscular frame. It has a short, dense coat that is tri-colored, typically featuring a combination of black, tan, and white markings. The breed's distinctive appearance, coupled with its elegant gait, reflects both its functional capabilities and aesthetic appeal. Male dogs should be between and females between tall. Generally they weigh between .

Temperament

Known for its keen sense of smell and hunting skills, the Hamiltonstövare is bred for hunting

hare Hares and jackrabbits are mammals belonging to the genus ''Lepus''. They are herbivores, and live solitarily or in pairs. They nest in slight depressions called forms, and their young are able to fend for themselves shortly after birth. The ge ...

and

fox Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush''). Twelve sp ...

, especially in tracking scents alone over the varied Swedish terrains, including dense forests, open fields, or rugged mountains. The Hamiltonstövare's acute sense of smell allows it to excel in most hunting tasks; however, they have been bred to refuse to track deer. The Hamiltonstövare is friendly and has a sociable nature. While it possesses a strong hunting instinct, it is also a loyal and affectionate companion. The breed tends to form strong bonds with its family members and is generally good with children. However, the breed can be stubborn and early socialization and training are crucial to ensure that the dog's hunting instincts are appropriately channeled.

History

The use of scenthounds in Sweden dates back at least to the 1500s when it is thought that Eastern European hounds were brought to Scandinavia. There is some disagreement as to the ancestors of the Hamiltonstövare, and various authorities have proposed native Swedish hounds, Swiss and German hounds such as the Holstein hound or the Hanover hound, Latvia's now extinct Curland hound, the English foxhound and harrier. In the late 19th century, Count Adolf Patrick Hamilton, a Swedish cavalry officer and the Swedish Kennel Club's first president, dedicated his efforts to developing a breed that would excel in hunting and tracking and at an 1886 dog show, he presented two dogs which would be considered the first Hamiltonstövare. The result was a dog with a robust build, well-suited for navigating the diverse terrains of the Swedish countryside. While a popular hound in Sweden, the breed is rare outside of Scandinavia. Originally simply called the Swedish hound, like the

Schillerstövare The Schillerstövare, translated as the Schiller Hound in English, is a dog breed, breed of dog of the scenthound dog type, type, originating as a hunting dog in Sweden in the late 19th century. Appearance The Schillerstövare is a medium to ...

and the Hygen hund, the breed was later renamed Hamiltonstövare after its creator in 1921 when it was recognized by the

in 1921. The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) recognized the Hamiltonstövare in 1955, and the breed is currently part of the

's Foundational Stock Service.

Popular culture

According to Swedish folklore, the elf Tomten is assisted by a Hamiltonstövare named Karo.

References