HALDENSTOVARE

COUNTRY: Norway

WEIGHT: 44-55 pounds

HEIGHT: 191/2-23^2 inches

COAT: Short, shiny and dense

COLOR: Tricolor, with white predominating

OTHER NAMES: Halden Hound

GROUP: Hound




Norwegian scenthounds have been popular hunting dogs in their native land since the 1800s, but have never gained a following elsewhere. The Haldenstovare was named after the town of Halden, where the breed was developed from indigenous hounds and foxhounds. A graceful and rather lightweight hunter, he is used especially for fast chases over wide open spaces—even in snow.

He has a clean, dry head and neck without ex-cess skin, and moderately long ears that reach the middle of the muzzle when pulled forward. The body should give the impression of supple power, with a deep chest and ribs carried well back, wide muscular loin and straight, strongly boned legs. Feet are particularly important because of the terrain he must hunt. Toes are high and tight but long enough to grip the snow, and there must be dense hair between the toes for protection. In color, the white must predominate. Black patches occur on the head and body, and the tan is limited to the spots above the eyes, on the cheeks, legs and breast, and under the ears and vent. Color is quite important in this breed, since the predominantly white hound is distinctly different from most of the darker hued Scandinavian stovare.

Although a fine hunter, numbers of this native Norwegian hound are limited. Because of their relative scarcity, promoters warn that great care must be used in breeding programs to prevent various inheritable defects.