Gotlandsstövare
- Medium
The Gotlandsstövare is a rare Swedish scenthound with a keen nose and a warm, lively temperament. Bred to hunt yet gentle at home, this endangered medium-sized hound makes a devoted, affectionate family companion.
- Height
- 17 to 22
- inches at the shoulder
- Weight
- 33 to 51
- pounds, adult
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 16
- years, median 14
- Senior from
- 10.5
- years, about
Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.
About the breed
- Origin
- Sweden
The Gotlandsstövare is a rare Swedish scenthound, a medium-sized dog with a rectangular build and an elegant look. It stands about 17 to 22 inches tall and weighs roughly 33 to 51 pounds, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Friendly and lively, this hound pairs strong hunting ability with a sweet, gentle nature that makes it a good family dog.
The breed's history is tangled. Experts believe the Gotlandsstövare descends from Eastern European hounds brought to Sweden by troops returning home in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Swedish Kennel Club accepted a breed standard in 1920, then in 1930 decided to combine Gotlandsstövares with the yellow variety of Smålandsstövare.
In 1934 the club pivoted again and declared the breed part of the Hamiltonstövare. A yellow coat was not part of the Hamiltonstövare standard, but the occasional yellow puppy appeared in a litter and was registered. Most came from the island of Gotland, so people called them Gotlandsstövares.
In 1990 the Gotlandsstövare regained recognition as a distinct breed. Its population has stayed extremely small, and the breed is considered endangered today.
Care
The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.
Nutrition
Gotlandsstövares do well on a high-quality diet matched to their life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior. Foods formulated for medium-breed dogs are a good option to consider.
To help your dog hold a healthy weight, measure portions to avoid overfeeding and keep an eye on treats. As a guideline, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog's daily calories.
Grooming
Weekly brushing and the occasional bath are usually enough to keep a Gotlandsstövare looking sharp.
Check the ears regularly and clean them as needed to remove wax buildup and debris, which helps lower the chance of ear infections. Keep nails trimmed too, since nails that grow too long can be painful and make running or walking harder.
Dental care matters as well. Dental disease is one of the most common health conditions in adult dogs, so pair professional cleanings with an at-home routine of regular teeth brushing and vet-recommended dental chews.
Exercise
Gotlandsstövares need substantial exercise, training, and mental stimulation. Lawful hunting in forest or open land is the breed's intended work, and the dog is not suited to a companion-only routine. For an adult, walking should still be part of daily activity, with slow, sniffing walks adding exploration.
Nosework offers a supplementary search activity using specific scents indoors or outdoors across varied surfaces and settings. Play and brain games can add mental activity, but they do not replace walking or the breed's broader workload. On outings, a lead can provide effective control; if the dog is ever off lead, the handler should stay aware of its actions and have reliable prompt recall.
Training
Gotlandsstövares need plenty of training and stimulation. In laid game-scent trail work, each trail should challenge the dog while remaining possible to solve. Training should focus on the designated trail, with the dog learning not to divert to scents from live game, people, or other dogs.
During a laid trail, handler guidance can develop greater precision, an appropriate pace, persistence on one track, and the ability to recover a lost trail.
Health conditions
2 conditions are documented for the Gotlandsstövare.
A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.
- EpilepsyNervous System & Behavioral
- Hip DysplasiaBone & Joint
Sources
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