Hanover Hound Dog Breed

The Hanover Hound, as its name suggests, is a member of the Hound group. Descending from European bloodhounds, dogs of this breed are typically utilized for hunting and tracking, and they make good pets for active, "outdoorsy" families.

Some breed specifications: Hanover Hounds are large-sized (adult weight is 80-100 pounds, and height at the shoulders is 19-22 inches; males tend to be a bit larger than females), with short-haired coats in various shades of red and brown. Here are some advantages (and disadvantages) to owning this rare breed:

PROS:

• Intelligent
• Excellent hunting/tracking skills
• Typically gentle and calm
• Low grooming requirements
• Great stamina and athleticism
• Fairly easily trained
• Socializes well with children
• Good watchdog abilities
• Well-suited for first-time owners

CONS:

• Can be stubborn and narrow-minded
• High exercise requirements
• Not suitable for apartment life
• High prey drive means they will chase cats and other smaller pets
• Standoffish and suspicious of strangers
• Very sensitive; responds extremely poorly to harsh treatment
• High tendency for obesity due to overeating/lack of exercise
• Rare, and thus hard to find/obtain

A single glance at a Hanover Hound reveals a lot about the breed: its athletic, well-balanced body structure is great for long hours spent in the woods; its long, floppy ears are perfect for picking up the tiniest of sounds; and its muzzle is quite long, at the end of which is an extremely powerful nose, which it uses to track animals for miles. Dogs of this breed have a singleness of purpose--hunting and tracking animals--and nearly all the Hanover Hound's characteristics play a part in its overall scenthound function.

Dogs of this breed are quite smart, and are at their best when they have a task to perform. They learn pretty quickly, and are normally easy to train--but they have such a long history as hunting/tracking dogs that they can be stubborn and unmanageable, as they become intensely focused on one thing or another and are no good at "multi-tasking." Hanover Hound owners say that positive, consistent training methods work best; a Hanover will react very negatively to harsh discipline, they say, and the dog will become frightened and completely unresponsive if treated badly.

If shown plenty of love and affection, though, these dogs make excellent companions. Though they're active and energetic--especially out in the woods--they can be gentle and kind pets at day's end. Hanover Hounds are best suited for rural homes with large yards; if given some good outdoor exercise each day, they will be great family dogs.

The Hanover Hound is quite a healthy breed. Nonetheless, these dogs may be susceptible to some naturally-occurring health issues including cancer, arthritis, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and bloat. Dogs of this breed tend to become obese rather easily, so they should receive plenty of exercise and their food intake should be closely monitored.

Normal life expectancy for Hanover Hounds is 10-14 years.