Sabueso EspañolCharacteristics, history, training and care
Sabueso Español. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Sabueso Español is a medium-sized, long-bodied Spanish scent hound with a handsome head, long ears and a short white and orange coat. It has been known since the late Middle Ages. The standard describes it as affectionate and calm, but with extraordinary courage when hunting big game, and with a gentle, sad and noble expression.
Quick facts
| Common name | Sabueso Español (Spanish Hound) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Spain |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 15 November 1957 (group 6, scent hounds; standard no. 204) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 52–57 cm at the withers |
| Size (females) | 48–53 cm at the withers |
| Coat type | Dense, short, fine, smooth |
| Common colours | White and orange (from lemon to reddish brown) |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Affectionate, calm, brave when hunting |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Poor with small animals; hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The FCI standard says the breed was already known in the late Middle Ages and is brilliantly described in the hunting book of King Alfonso XI (14th century), as well as by Argote de Molina (1582) and many classical authors.
Wikipedia says it comes from the far north of the Iberian Peninsula, from mountainous regions, where it has been used for hundreds of years on every kind of game: wild boar, hare, brown bear, wolf, red deer, fox, roe deer and chamois. It is strictly a working breed, used for hunting with a gun.
How the breed developed
- 14th century – Described in the hunting book of King Alfonso XI.
- 1582 – Described by Argote de Molina.
- 15 November 1957 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 26 May 1982 – The current FCI standard is published.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★★ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★★ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★☆ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★☆☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a medium-sized, balanced dog of rather long proportions, with a handsome head and long ears. The body is 7–10 cm longer than the height, and the chest is very well developed. The expression is gentle, sad and noble.
General appearance
The bones are compact and the legs solid. The coat is dense, short, fine and smooth, covering the whole body down to between the toes.
| Feature | Sabueso Español |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | males: 52–57 cm; females: 48–53 cm |
| Coat | Short, fine |
| Ears | Long |
| Body | Much longer than tall |
| Expression | Gentle, sad, noble |
The colour is white and orange, with either one predominating, in irregular, well-defined patches. The orange can range from lemon to deep reddish brown.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as an affectionate and calm dog that shows extraordinary courage and bravery when hunting big game.
The standard says that from the dog's voice and its modulations, the hunter can tell what is happening during the hunt. Like any scent hound, it needs recall training.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. Its nose can take it a long way.
- Keep it on a lead. Its hunting instinct is strong.
- Be gentle. It is affectionate and calm.
- Think of the neighbours. It barks on a scent.
Activity needs and lifestyle
As a mountain scent hound, it needs a lot of exercise every day and activities for its nose.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks | daily | Stamina |
| Scent work | several times a week | Hound instinct |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is best suited to hunters.
- The fence must be solid.
- Check the long ears often.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, fine coat should be brushed once a week with a rubber grooming mitt. The long ears should be checked and cleaned regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any long-eared scent hound, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Infections of the long ears | Head shaking, bad smell, red ears |
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Clean the ears weekly.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Check the paws.
Diet and nutrition
An active hound needs good-quality food, adapted to its level of effort.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 1,060 kcal | 1,190 kcal | 260–340 g |
| 23 kg | 1,180 kcal | 1,320 kcal | 300–380 g |
| 26 kg | 1,290 kcal | 1,450 kcal | 320–410 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months. Most breeds become adults at around 13–15 months.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In dogs, a litter has 5–6 puppies on average, and the number rises with the size of the breed. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- Described by a king. King Alfonso XI described it in the 14th century.
- A sad expression. The standard describes its expression as sad and noble.
- It even hunts bears. It was used even on bears and wolves.
- Its voice says it all. The hunter follows the hunt by its voice.
- Much longer than tall. Its body exceeds its height by 7–10 cm.
Frequently asked questions
What does it hunt?
Mainly small game, but also wild boar, deer, foxes, wolves or bears.
How big does it get?
Males measure 52–57 cm, females 48–53 cm.
What colour is it?
White and orange.
Is it a family dog?
It is affectionate and calm, but above all a hunting dog.
