SchillerstövareCharacteristics, history, training and care
Schillerstövare. · Pleple2000 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Schillerstövare is a medium-sized Swedish hound, red with a clearly defined black mantle, used to hunt hares and foxes, which it follows while giving tongue. It is not a pack hound. The standard describes it as lively and alert.
Quick facts
| Common name | Schillerstövare (Schiller Hound) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Sweden |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 5 January 1955 (group 6, medium-sized hounds, with working trial; standard no. 131) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; medium-sized breeds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 53–61 cm at the withers (ideally 57 cm); 18–25 kg according to Wikipedia |
| Size (females) | 49–57 cm at the withers (ideally 53 cm); 18–25 kg according to Wikipedia |
| Coat type | Harsh, not too short, very close-lying |
| Common colours | Red with a black mantle |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Lively, alert |
| 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 that 189 hounds were shown at the first dog show in Sweden, in 1886. Among them were two siblings, Tamburini and Ralla 1, owned by the farmer Per Schiller and descended from famous hounds of the Kaflås estate, which probably came from southern Germany. They were fairly small, red with a black mantle and a little white.
The breed was then developed further with Swiss hounds and a good deal of British hound blood, especially Harrier. It quickly became uniform, dominated by the continental type, and the Swedish kennel club recognised it in 1907.
How the breed developed
- 1886 – First dog show in Sweden; Per Schiller's dogs are shown.
- Later – Swiss hounds and Harriers are added.
- 1907 – The Swedish kennel club recognises the breed.
- 5 January 1955 – The FCI recognises the breed.
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
Wikipedia describes it as a medium-to-large running hound, used to hunt foxes and hares. The head is fairly long, with a slightly domed skull.
General appearance
The hair is harsh, not too short and lies very close to the body. On the head, ears and front of the legs it is short and smooth, while under the tail and on the back of the thighs it may be a little longer.
| Feature | Schillerstövare |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Height at the withers | males: 53–61 cm; females: 49–57 cm |
| Weight | 18–25 kg (Wikipedia) |
| Coat | Harsh, close-lying |
| Colour | Red with a black mantle |
| Type | Running hound |
The colour is red, with a clearly defined black mantle covering the neck, back, upper shoulders, sides of the body, loins and upper side of the tail. The red covers the head, throat, chest, lower shoulders and legs.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as lively and alert. It is a hound that follows game while giving tongue, used on hares and foxes, but not in packs, not in couples and not on deer.
Like any hound, it needs patience and recall practice.
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 patient. It is an independent hunter.
- Think of the neighbours. It barks on a scent.
Activity needs and lifestyle
As a running hound, it needs plenty of exercise and work for its nose every day.
| 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.
- It copes well with cold.
- The fence must be solid.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The harsh, close-lying coat should be brushed once a week with a grooming mitt. The ears should be checked regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any hound, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Infections of the 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
- Check the ears after hunting.
- 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 kg | 980 kcal | 1,100 kcal | 240–310 g |
| 21 kg | 1,100 kcal | 1,240 kcal | 280–350 g |
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 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
- Named after a farmer. Per Schiller showed the first dogs in 1886.
- Tamburini and Ralla. The first known dogs of the breed.
- Not a pack hound. It hunts alone, not in a pack.
- Harrier blood. The breed has a lot of Harrier blood.
- A black mantle. The black back contrasts with the red.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the name come from?
From the Swedish farmer Per Schiller.
How big does it get?
Males measure 53–61 cm, females 49–57 cm.
What does it hunt?
Hares and foxes.
Is it a pack hound?
No; it hunts alone.
