Halden Hound

The Halden Hound has a cheerful personality and is considered a family dog. It gets along well with children, is even ready to look after them, and will never allow unnecessary aggression in their direction. It is indifferent to strangers, does not show any special interest, and keeps its distance. Therefore, in the role of a guardian, the dog can show itself very well.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Halden Hound breed’s history has its origins in Norway, in the small town of Halden, where the first puppy appeared. Dog breeders crossed the Bissenberg Hound with other hunting dogs from Germany, England, and Sweden. The result is the smallest hound that specializes in hare hunting.

The breed quickly gained great popularity in Norway because of its agility, reaction, adaptation to different weather conditions, and prey’s pursuit. Unfortunately, outside the country, the Halden Hound was little known for a long time.

The hunting fashion began to decline gradually, and the hound breed began to be bred as pets. Only thanks to true connoisseurs and fans of the breed, it continues to exist.

Appearance

The head of Haldenstøver is proportional, long. The transition from forehead to muzzle is well expressed. The eyes are of medium size; the ears are extended forward and twisted into a tube.

The physique of the dog is strong, muscular. Limbs with strong bones, well built. The tail is set high. The coat is short, shiny, and smooth. Color white with black spots and tan.

Character

The Halden Hound has a cheerful personality and is considered a family dog. It gets along well with children, is even ready to look after them, and will never allow unnecessary aggression in their direction. It is indifferent to strangers, does not show any special interest, and keeps its distance. Therefore, in the role of a guardian, the dog can show itself very well.

Haldenstøver has a loud voice, has a large reserve of energy and stamina. The breed withstands a long hare chase without much difficulty. The breed was based on decent hunting dogs, so the hound acquired the best qualities from them.

The dog is adapted to work in harsh conditions because his homeland’s climate has prepared him for severe cold. Even under such circumstances, the hound will listen to his master and follow his orders.

The Halden Hound may sometimes show its hunting instinct while walking. In this case, it is necessary to familiarize the dog with its environment from an early age and prohibit it from reacting to stray animals or other dogs. It is important to remember that the hound can give in to excitement that it will stop listening to the owner at all. In general, a well-mannered dog behaves calmly in the street. But, if the hound senses danger that may threaten him or the owner, he will intervene.

Do not leave your dog alone for long periods. In this case, it will start to attract attention with prolonged barking. The accumulated energy may harm the behavior of the Halden Hound. Therefore, if you notice that the dog has become very active, it is probably better to increase physical activity.

Care

The short and water-repellent coat of the Halden Hound requires minimal care. Frequent brushing with a special brush will give the coat a shiny and favorable look. The dog should be bathed as seldom as possible. It is better to trim the claws once a month.

Training

Nowadays, it is acceptable to have a hound without the opportunity to go hunting. In that case, the main task will be to provide the best conditions for the pet. Long walks, movement games, and other activities can be an excellent alternative.

A lot of effort should be put into the hound’s training to reduce the display of willful temper. A great strategy would be training with an ultimate reward. A harsh voice showing aggression toward the dog will only irritate the pet. By one year of age, the Halden Hound can learn a few commands and behave in a well-behaved manner outdoors.

Common Diseases

Like many hounds, the Haldenstøver often suffers from ear infections. It is necessary to pay special attention to cleaning the ears and avoiding the accumulation of dirt.

The Halden Hound is prone to such diseases:

• hip dysplasia;
• degenerative myelopathy;
• ear infections;
• conjunctivitis.

Nutrition

The energy value of the food should be based on the amount of exercise your dog gets. Portions should not be large. The main diet may consist of meat of animal origin. In rare cases, fat may be added to increase the caloric value. Porridge and soups can be a good variety. Vegetables and fruits should not be forgotten. It is important to ensure constant access to freshwater.