COUNTRY: Denmark
HEIGHT: 12-15 inches
COAT: Short, straight and dense; slight fringe on tail
COLOR: Any color, with white markings
OTHER NAMES: Danish Dachsbracke
Weight: (Approx.) 33-40 Lbs.
Group: Hounds
The Strellufstover is a 20th-century creation. Frands Christian Frandsen, of Hoisted, Jutland, envisioned a hound with the persistence and independence to hunt a variety of game in the Hoisted area. About 1912, he acquired Smaland-sstoveren from Sweden, Westphalian Dachs-bracken from Germany and Berner Laufhunds from Switzerland, and crossbred these hounds, selecting the desired traits from the progeny.
By the mid-1920s, Frandsen had fixed the type he wanted, and hunters from all over Denmark were using the new Danish Dachsbracke. By 1929, fanciers formed the Dansk Stovarklub, which still supports the breed, soon named Strelluf after Frandsen's kennel. FCI recognized the new hound in 1937, seven years before his benefactor's death.
Later, the Danish Dachsbracke moved on to Sweden, where these dogs contributed to the makeup of the Drever. By 1960, Scandinavian dog authorities agreed that the Drever and Strellufstover were so close as to be essentially the same breed. They are now listed as one breed with one standard, but in Denmark his advocates still prefer to call him Strelluf. He has a slow, steady following (500) in his homeland, as compared to 11,000 Drevers in Sweden!
The Strellufstover is used for fox, deer and hare. He works slowly over large estates, baying constantly and driving the game out to the hunter.
This dog is watchful, calm, never nervous or aggressive. His bold white markings must be visible from both sides, as well as from the front and back.