Schweizer Laufhund

by Kate Barrington

Published: February 6th, 2018

About Schweizer Laufhund

Height

18.5-24 inches

Weight

30-45 lb

Lifespan

10-12 years

Group

not applicable

Best Suited For

active singles, active families, house with a yard, experienced dog owners, hunters

Temperament

energetic, active, good-natured, affectionate

Comparable Breeds

Schweizer Laufhund Basics

Similar in appearance to the Bloodhound, the Schweizer Laufhund is a Swedish breed that was used in the development of numerous scent hounds. Technically speaking, there are four different types of Schweizer Laufhund but they are all grouped under the same name for registration purposes. Developing as a hunting dog, this breed is rarely kept as a family pet. Even so, he’s friendly, affectionate, and gentle in the home environment.

The Schweizer Laufhund is a Swedish breed that was used in the development of numerous scent hounds.

Origin

Native to Switzerland, the Schweizer Laufhund is an ancient breed. There are several variations on the breed which developed over the years and most organizations recognize them as such – they generally don’t recognize the varieties as separate breeds. The four varieties of Schweizer Laufhund are the Bernese Hound, the Lucernese Hound, the Bruno Jura Hound, and the Schwyz Hound. There is a fifth type, the Thurgovian Hound, but it is now extinct. In Switzerland, a land where numerous languages are spoken, each of the Schweizer Laufhund varieties has a number of names.

The exact origins of the Schweizer Laufhund are unknown but it is an old breed, developed before written records were kept for dog breeding. Some suggest that the origins of the breed date back to Roman times, though they didn’t really become popular until the Middle Ages when they became favored by European nobility. The Schweizer Laufhund wasn’t pedigreed until 1880 and it was recognized by the FCI in 1933. It has not yet been recognized by the AKC.

Pedigree

The Schweizer Laufhund was developed from ancient Roman hounds.

Food/Diet

As a medium-sized dog, the Schweizer Laufhund should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for adult dogs. Because this breed was developed specifically for hunting, however, he may do well on an active or working breed formula.

Native to Switzerland, the Schweizer Laufhund is an ancient breed.

Training

The Schweizer Laufhund is an intelligent breed that generally responds well to training. These dogs have the typical hound mentality, so they can sometimes be a little stubborn or independent. This breed is not hard-headed, but he does best with an owner who is experienced with dogs and who can maintain a firm hand in leadership. This breed should be started with socialization and training from a young age.

Weight

The Schweizer Laufhund is a medium-sized dog, standing between 18.5 and 24 inches tall and weighing 30 to 45 pounds at maturity. Females of the breed tend to be a little shorter than males, though both are very similar in bodyweight.

Temperament/Behavior

The Schweizer Laufhund has been bred almost exclusively for hunting for many years, though it does have potential as a family pet. These dogs have the typical scent hound temperament which is affectionate, friendly, and gentle. This breed is great with other dogs and he does have the capacity to do well with children. They have high needs for attention, so this is not the kind of dog who can be left at home alone all day. These dogs tend to form strong bonds with family and they can do well as watch dogs, though they don’t tend to do much as guard dogs.

Common Health Problems

There is not a great deal of information available about the inherited conditions to which the Schweizer Laufhund may be prone. As far as regular health problems go, this breed is prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, entropion, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, patellar luxation, and ear infections.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Schweizer Laufhund is thought to be about 10 to 12 years which is a little short for a breed of its size.

Exercise Requirements

The Schweizer Laufhund has a medium energy level but he still requires a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to maintain good health. These dogs need at least one brisk daily walk and they will appreciate having a fenced yard in which to run. Hunting training can provide some additional exercise for these dogs as well.

The Schweizer Laufhund has been bred almost exclusively for hunting for many years, though it does have potential as a family pet.

AKC

The Schweizer Laufhund is not currently recognized by the AKC but he is recognized by the FCI and the UKC. The FCI classifies him in Group 6 as a Scenthound and the UKC as a Scenthound as well.

Coat

The Schweizer Laufhund has the typical hound coat which is short, smooth, and somewhat harsh. The hair tends to be longer on the back and legs while it is short and fine on the head and ears. Each of the four varieties has its own unique coloration. The Bernese Hound is white with black patches or a black saddle with tan markings on the face and ears. The Bruno Jura Hound is either tan with a black saddle or black with tan markings. The Lucernese Hound is blue, a color resulting from black and white hairs being interspersed over the body. The Schwyz Hound is white with orange markings.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Schweizer Laufhund is 3 to 7 puppies. Careful breeding is required to ensure that you end up with the variety that you want. These dogs grow to less than 50 pounds at maturity, so puppies tend to reach their full size fairly quickly. Make sure to feed your Schweizer Laufhund a high-quality puppy food and get started as early as possible with training and socialization.

Photo credit: Capture Light/Shutterstock; cynoclub/Shutterstock

Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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Schwyz Hound

Schwyz Hound Basics Also known as the Schweizer Laufhund, the Schwyz hound is one of three Swiss hounds. This particular breed is named for the city of Schwyz and he is a small hound used for hunting hare, fox, and roe deer. Though developed for hunting, these dogs also make good family pets because they are highly devoted to their masters. Also known as the Schweizer Laufhund, the Schwyz hound is one of three Swiss hounds. Origin

Bernese Hound

Bernese Hound Basics Also known as the Berner Laufhund and the small Bernese Hound, this breed was developed in Switzerland for both its scenting ability and its use in the sport of shoots. These dogs are closely related to the other three Swiss hounds, but they are unique in that they come in two coat types – wirehair or smooth. Though they were developed for hunting small game, these dogs are also intelligent and trainable enough to be used in dog sports. This breed was developed in Switzerland for both its scenting ability and its use in the sport of shoots. Origin One of four Swiss Hounds, the Bernese Hound is also known as the Berner Laufhund and the small Bernese Hound. This breed was developed by Swiss breeders to fill a specific niche. In addition to being bred for its scenting ability and its skills in hunting small game, the Bernese Hound is also an excellent breed for dog sports including the sport of shoots. The breed was developed during the late 1800s as a smaller, short-legged version of the medium-sized Swiss hound. Pedigree The Bernese Hound is one of four Swiss hounds, related to the Lucernese Hound, Bruno Jura Hound, and the Schweizer Laufhund. Food/Diet The Bernese Hound is a small- to medium-sized breed that should fare well on a high-quality adult dog food diet that is rich in protein with moderate fat, ideally from animal sources. If you choose to train your dog for hunting or dog sports, he may fare better on an active or working breed formula. These formulas are rich in protein with higher fat content to meet the dog’s higher needs for exercise. The Bernese Hound is an intelligent and trainable breed but can be stubborn or independent at times. Training

Lucernese Hound

Lucernese Hound Basics The Lucernese Hound is named after the city of Lucerne in Switzerland and is one of four recognized varieties of Schweizer Laufhund. Bred to hunt a wide variety of game including hare, fox, and deer, the Lucernese Hound is happiest when he is out in the field doing his work. If you’re looking for an active, talented hunting breed that is also loyal and friendly with children, this is a breed to consider. Origin The Lucernese Hound was developed in Switzerland and is named for the Swiss town of Lucerne, though his exact origins are unknown. This breed is one of four Swiss hounds known as Schweizer Laufhunds – the other three are the Bernese Hound, Schwyz Hound, and the Bruno Jura Hounds. This breed is the smallest of these four hounds but still has the stocky, muscular build of a hound type as well as the strong hunting ability. Though some clubs recognize the four Schweizer Laufhunds as individual breeds, most of them classify all four as the Schweizer Laufhund. This breed is recognized by the FCI in the medium hound group. Pedigree The exact origins of the Lucernese Hound are unknown but he is one of four Swiss hounds classified under the type Schweizer Laufhunds. Food/Diet The Lucernese Hound should do well on a high-quality commercial diet formulated for adult dogs. If you plan to hunt with your dog or train him for dog sports, however, a working or active breed formula may be more appropriate. Training

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Scientists May Have Found a Better Way To Trim a Cat’s Nails

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We have all been told at one time or another that our pets are good for our mental health. But have you ever stopped to consider how your mental health could also impact the attachment bond you form with your pet? Could your attachment to your pet hurt your mental health?These questions and more were the inspiration behind a new study out of the University of Helsinki.Rather than focusing solely on the benefits of dogs and cats to our mental well-being, researchers went a step better. The goal was to better understand how the relationship we form with our pets could have an impact both on us as well as on the pets themselves. They also dug into how an owner’s attachment style could impact the care they provide and our pet’s behaviors.The research team collected information from approximately 2,500 pet owners and 3,300 pets to gather the necessary data. This included:Personality traits (of owners, dogs, and cats)Owner mental well-being ratingsUnwanted behavior traitsOther potential influences, like children in the householdAttachment stylesIn terms of the relationship, they looked specifically at two types of insecure attachment – anxious and avoidant. Anxious attachment refers to owners who desire to have their pets nearby and are concerned about the risk of losing their pets. On the other end of the spectrum, avoidant attachment refers to pet owners concerned about losing their personal autonomy and, as such, seeking a higher level of independence.The study found that cat owners with lower mental health ratings demonstrated anxious attachment to their feline friends. However, dog owners with similar mental health ratings were split between anxious attachment and avoidant attachment.Interestingly enough, there was a clear division between the attachment styles when categorizing the relationships based on a dog’s mental well-being and potentially “unwanted” or “problem” behaviors. Dogs who demonstrated aggression or ADHD-like behavior were more likely to have avoidantly attached owners, while dogs who demonstrated fear-related behaviors were often connected to anxiously attached owners.What does all this mean? By recognizing the connection, we can better understand how personality and attachment styles can influence one another.For example, if a dog owner demonstrates avoidant attachment, they may not provide the security a dog desires in a potentially threatening situation. As a result, the dog may develop aggression. However, it is also possible that a dog’s aggressive response may contribute to an owner’s need for space and independence from the behavior and its impact on their daily activities.“What made this project unique was that it involved dogs, cats, and owners alike,” explained Professor Hannes Lohi. “We need a deeper understanding of the connections between owners and pets and the associated factors so we can, for example, help people make better decisions when obtaining a pet. It’s important to acknowledge that obtaining a pet while experiencing poor mental well-being may not necessarily meet the expectations of improving it.”Not only is this a big step forward in helping people make educated decisions about pet ownership, but it could also provide valuable guidance for trainers and behaviorists when dealing with unwanted behaviors.

What You Need to Know About XL Bully Ban

American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year after numerous attacks were reported across the United Kingdom. The term "XL Bully" typically refers to a type of  American Bully breed known for its muscular build and larger size compared to standard American Bullies. These dogs are often selectively bred for their size, strength, and temperament, so while they are not inherently aggressive, they have the means to do some damage if they are reared to be dangerous.The ban has owners of bully breeds across the UK scared and confused, so here’s what you need to know about the details of this edict. Starting from December 31st, all XL Bullies will have to be kept on a lead and have a muzzle while in public. What is more, from this date it will be completely illegal to advertise, breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon or let stray any XL Bullies. In short – it is a decisive strike against this breed, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, earlier this year.Furthermore, a complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will come into force in the UK from February 1st, 2023. This had owners scared that their pets would have to be put down just because of their breed, but, luckily, that’s not the case. If the owner applies before the end of January, with the wish to keep their pet. With that, the household will receive an exemption certificate, but it will also have to comply with a very strict set of rules related to the breed. UK government department Defra has announced that it received more than 4,000 exemption applications so far and that a “majority” were approved. Their spokesperson said that “ "The majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week."This only supports the assurances that there will be no “forced” euthanization of these dogs. However, those people that do not apply for an exemption by the end of the deadline, will have to put their XL Bullies down. They will be granted £200 to cover the costs of a vet euthanizing their dog. Rescue and rehoming organizations can claim £100 per animal for the same purpose. The government's website states "the euthanasia must be performed by 31 January 2024" for these financial claims to be successful. Sadly, because of this new law, at least 246 XL Bullies will be put down in the coming period, as their owners did not apply for an exemption, or were not granted one. American XL Bullies are not the first dogs to be banned in the UK. Several breeds were banned in the past, and owning them is now completely illegal. These breeds include the  Pitbull terrier,  Japanese Tosa,  Dogo Argentino, and  Fila Brasileiro. Owning a banned dog breed can get you in plenty of trouble, specifically an unlimited fine and a six-month prison sentence. 

Researchers Find Genetic Links Between Human and Canine Brain Tumors

In a groundbreaking study, researchers have discovered striking similarities between the most common type of brain tumor in dogs and humans - meningioma. These findings were published in the scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica. Until now, scientists struggled to find reliable experimental models to understand the biology of and develop effective treatments for these tumors. But thanks to these newly discovered similarities, doctors will be able to use a classification system that identifies these aggressive tumors in humans and pooches.“The discovery that naturally occurring canine tumors closely resemble their human counterparts opens numerous avenues of exploring the biology of these challenging tumors,” said Dr. Akash Patel, an associate professor of neurosurgery at Baylor College of Medicine and principal investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children’s Hospital. “It also provides opportunities for developing and studying novel treatments applicable to both humans and dogs,” he added.During the study, researchers analyzed 62 dog meningiomas from 27 breeds and found that the tumors were remarkably similar to the same kinds of tumors in humans. To this date, this is the largest study of the gene expression profiles of the canine meningioma. Others, including Dr. Jonathan Levine, a VMBS professor and the head of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (VSCS), and Dr. Tiemo Klisch, assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Principal Investigator at Duncan NRI, were involved in the study along Dr. Patel. Meanwhile, assistant professor Dr. Beth Boudreau was a key collaborator. Previous work done by Levine, Boudreau, and others at VMBS, which found similarities between gliomas - the second most common type of brain tumors - in humans and dogs, was instrumental for Patel’s study. “We ended up agreeing to provide Patel with canine tumor samples we had worked years and years to achieve, to see if he could isolate the RNA, which is not always easy to do,” said Levine, in a statement. “He was able to produce this very robust data set that showed a similar pattern structure to human tumors. Our team also provided Dr. Patel with key clinical outcome data, including responses to certain treatments.”Now that the researchers have found a link between brain tumors in humans and dogs they hope to establish clinical trials to continue their research. Setting up this type of clinical trial can take several years of planning and requires funding.“We are really interested in creating wins for both human and animal medicine,” said Levine. “For example, we hope to give dog owners access to therapy that’s not available anywhere else in the world through clinical trials. At the same time, that information will also inform the next step of human trials.”As it happens, another group of researchers from the University of California, Davis, conducted a similar study with matching results about meningioma in humans and dogs. This study was also published in the scientific journal Acta Neuropathologica.Now, the two research groups plan to collaborate in the future and share their findings to develop treatment options for both human and canine brain tumors. “If we do one trial, we’d be able to enroll patients a lot more quickly, which would make it easier to get larger data sets resulting in stronger findings. So we have a lot of interest in doing a collaborative trial,” added Levine. “We really see the team out in California as potential partners.” Thanks to this groundbreaking research, scientists now have a better understanding of brain tumors and are one step closer to developing life-saving treatments for both humans and dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

What Should I Include in a Pet First Aid Kit?

As loving pet parents, we do everything possible to keep our furry companions safe and healthy. However, life is unpredictable, and accidents happen, so we must be prepared for unexpected emergencies. This includes ensuring we have a fully stocked, pet-friendly first aid kit available. In this article, we’ll discuss the essential items you should have on hand to care for your pet in those unforeseen moments. From basic cuts and scrapes to more severe injuries, you’ll be prepared to act as your pet’s first line of defense when it matters most. Can You Use a Human First Aid Kit on Dogs and Cats? Yes, sort of. Most of the items included in a human first aid kit can be used to treat your pet in the case of an emergency. You may be wondering – if they can use the same supplies, why do I need a first aid kit specifically for pets? Some items you won’t find in a human first aid kit may be necessary depending on your pet’s injury or ailment. These could address a problem that only a dog or cat could experience, or they may involve finding alternatives for human products that are unsafe for our pets, like human medications. What Human First Aid Products Can Be Used on Dogs and Cats? Most standard items in your first aid kit can be used on dogs and cats. For example, bandages, gauze pads, ice packs, and medical tape are all suitable for pets. They are the exact same items often included in both human and pet first aid kits. Tools like scissors, latex gloves, and tweezers will also be helpful when performing first aid on a pet. This means that if you currently have a standard human first aid kit at home, you are already well on your way to being prepared to take care of your pet in an emergency. To update your human first aid kit and make it suitable for pets, you will just need to add a few important items:

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