Dunker

Dunker has a balanced personality and a calm, friendly temperament. It is an active and loyal dog who will be happy to spend with you any free minute. Not aggressive, but is wary of strangers, so it can easily serve as a guardian of your home. The Norwegian Hound has a very sonorous and loud bark, necessary for its purpose in hunting.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The Dunker is another breed of Hound that has incredible endurance and a hunting instinct. The Norwegian Hound owes its origin and name to Captain Wilhelm Dunker, who wanted a new universal breed. Dunker, by crossing several breeds, has truly ideal hunting dogs. The Norwegian Hound is great at navigating any terrain, has a keen sense of smell, and is incredibly persistent. Until it achieves the result, it will never stop. Descendants of the Dunker are considered German, French, Russian hounds, and the English Foxhound.

In 1902, the “Special Club for the Norwegian Hare Dogs” was established, the first club that included the Dunker breed. During World War II, the breed’s distribution was suspended. Since the 1970s, the breed’s interest and popularity have increased again, and experienced hunters have appreciated the working qualities of the breed. Today, the Dunker is common in Sweden. Outside Norway, the breed is not in much demand, and it is also not yet recognized by the English and American Kennel Clubs.

Appearance

The physique of the Norwegian Hound is strong, muscular enough. The format is slightly elongated, rectangular. Deep and voluminous chest. Long head, muzzle straight. The eyes are large and dark, but the blue color is also acceptable (an interesting feature of the breed is considered heterochromia).

Slender limbs of medium length. Ears are hanging, soft and thin, not very mobile. The tail is quite thick, narrowing towards the end. The coat is short but very thick with a pronounced undercoat.

Character

Dunker has a balanced personality and a calm, friendly temperament. It is an active and loyal dog who will be happy to spend with you any free minute. Not aggressive, but is wary of strangers, so it can easily serve as a guardian of your home. The Norwegian Hound has a very sonorous and loud bark, necessary for its purpose in hunting.

Able to work alone, as well as with partners, and with a pack. Gets along well with other animals, except for cats; this requires early socialization. Small animals can also take as prey; you should watch out for this more carefully. The attitude to children is good, even slightly cautious. In all his affairs, Dunker looks confident, hardy, and overflowing with the desire to succeed. The apartment breed is not quite suitable because the Dunker loves freedom and independence, active games, and mental and physical activity, which are necessary for the adequate formation of the character and health of the pet.

Care

There is nothing complicated about grooming the Norwegian Hound. The Dunker needs to be combed out with a stiff brush once every few weeks because of its short hair. Their shedding is light and seasonal. Also, stick to standard hygiene procedures: bathe and clip claws only when necessary. Keep an eye on their ears and eyes and clean them at least twice a week. In case of infection or inflammation, consult your veterinarian immediately to prevent diseases.

Another plus of the breed is that the Dunker was originally bred for cold trail hare hunting. It makes the breed so well adapted to cold, ice, and snowy weather. Your pet won’t freeze and is sure to find his way home on the snowy trail.

Training

There will be no stubbornness or unwillingness to follow commands, but the learning process will not be quick. If you want to teach your many pet commands, you will need a spoonful of patience and a pinch of time. Dunker’s intelligence level and desire to please his owner are top-notch. You need to help your pet a little and create a supportive atmosphere to learn the commands quickly.

Common Diseases

The health of the Norwegian Hound at the genetic level is excellent. The dog is healthy and strong. However, some diseases can still occur in representatives of the breed:

• diseases of the hearing organs (deafness, which can be caused by the action of the dominant “merle” gene);
• eye diseases and infections (iris heterochromia is more common).

Nutrition

The Dunker is unpretentious about food and will eat with pleasure whatever the owner offers him. The ration should be properly prepared, balanced, and contain all the necessary vitamins. If you can’t decide between food and natural food, consult your vet or an experienced breeder. For the Norwegian Hound, a premium dry food for medium active dog breeds is suitable.