Portrait of a Hanoverian Scenthound, a large dog breed

Hanoverian Scenthound

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The Hanoverian Scenthound is a large German tracking dog, strong and well proportioned, with a short red coat and a serious expression. Independent, loyal, and calm, it pairs deep stamina with a steady working temperament.

Height
19 to 21
inches at the shoulder
Weight
55 to 88
pounds, adult
Males 66 to 88, females 55 to 70 lb
Life expectancy
10 to 14
years, median 12
Senior from
9
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

Temperament
Independent, loyal, calm
Coat
Smooth, short
Origin
Germany

The Hanoverian Scenthound comes from Germany, where it is known as the Hannoverscher Schweisshund. It is a large dog, well proportioned and strong, built for efficient tracking work.

Well-set muscles in the fore and hind limbs equip it for energetic work, and a broad, deep chest gives the lungs room for long, demanding chases. A slightly wrinkled forehead and clear, dark eyes give the breed its serious expression.

Color is a signature of the breed. The red coat ranges from a pale fawn to a dark brindle that can look almost black. By temperament the Hanoverian Scenthound is independent, loyal, and calm.

Temperament and needs

Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.

  • Affectionate with family3 out of 5
  • Good with young children3 out of 5
  • Good with other dogs5 out of 5
  • Openness to strangers3 out of 5
  • Playfulness3 out of 5
  • Watchdog and protective nature2 out of 5
  • Adaptability3 out of 5
  • Trainability4 out of 5
  • Energy level4 out of 5
  • Mental stimulation needs3 out of 5
  • Barking level4 out of 5
  • Shedding3 out of 5
  • Grooming frequency2 out of 5
  • Drooling2 out of 5

Care

The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.

Nutrition

Feed your Hanoverian Scenthound a formula matched to its needs across each phase of life. Many foods are built around breed size, from small through extra-large, and the Hanoverian Scenthound sits in the large range.

What you feed is your choice. Work with your veterinarian or breeder to set meal frequency as a puppy and to choose an adult diet that supports a long, active life.

Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Grooming

The Hanoverian Scenthound asks little in the way of grooming. The short, smooth coat rarely needs brushing, and you should bathe this dog only as often as necessary.

The ears are the exception. Check them regularly for signs of infection or irritation.

Clip the nails on a regular schedule, and brush the teeth when needed.

Exercise

The Hanoverian Scenthound needs a good deal of daily physical activity. Give this dog space to roam and play, and pair that with mental work to keep it engaged.

Its stamina runs deep, which makes it a willing partner for hiking, camping, or jogging.

Without enough physical and mental activity, unwelcome habits can set in, such as destructiveness, nervousness, and constant barking.

Training

Training a Hanoverian Scenthound can be challenging, thanks to its independent nature. It does best with a handler who has an assured, confident presence.

In its view of the pack hierarchy, the breed will tend to ignore commands from anyone it reads as lower in rank, so consistency matters.

It tends to get along very well with other dogs.

Health conditions

2 conditions are documented for the Hanoverian Scenthound.

A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.

Sources

Longevity & Vitality soft chew

Longevity & Vitality is a daily chew built on five active ingredients. Each chew carries Turkey Tail at 600mg, Curcuvet® curcumin at 75mg, Quercefit® quercetin at 40mg, Fibalance® at 275mg and EpiCor® at 50mg. The daily serving follows your dog's weight, from half a chew to three.

Roots Pet Longevity & Vitality pouch of 60 soft chews, a daily multi-benefit supplement for adult dogs