Hygenhund

The Hygenhund is named after Norwegian huntsman Hygen Haugen, who crossed local scenthounds with German and Swiss breeds in the 19th century to produce a dog better suited to Scandinavia's cold climate and rough terrain. It's a medium-sized scenthound used to trail hare and fox by scent rather than sight. The short, dense coat needs little upkeep and holds up to long working days outdoors in any weather. The breed remains almost unknown outside Scandinavia, since it was never developed for export. A male weighs up to 24 kilograms, built for stamina rather than speed. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Hygenhund: how old in human years?

44–55 cmHeight
16–24 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Petit Gascon Saintongeois

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 266
Country of origin: Norway

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 47–55 cm

Females 44–52 cm

Weight

Males 18–24 kg

Females 16–22 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Hygenhund's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Hygenhund's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Hygenhund's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Hygenhund's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Hygenhund

Snow up to your knees, cold biting at your cheeks, and your Hygenhund looks like the happiest dog in the world. This is a Norwegian scenthound, bred to follow a trail on its own and tell the hunter with its voice where the action is. It is medium-sized, lighter than the big French hounds, but it has no shortage of stamina: every day it needs long walks, running and work for its nose.

It is clever and learns fairly willingly, as long as training feels like a game rather than a drill. Once it catches a scent, though, it can forget everything you taught it, so practise recall patiently from puppyhood and let it run free only in a fenced area. Its prey drive is very strong, so take care around cats and small pets. A flat is too cramped for it, and when it misses having something to do, it will tell you out loud.

At home the Hygenhund is friendly and affectionate, and it gets on well with children and other dogs. It greets strangers calmly, without much enthusiasm but without hostility either, so don't count on it as a guard. It suits an active family or a hunter best, a house with a fenced garden and owners for whom wind and rain are no reason to stay indoors.

Grooming and coat

The Hygenhund's coat is short but dense and harsh, made for Norwegian forests where wet snow and autumn last a long time. Caring for it is easy: once a week, go over it with a rubber mitt or a bristle brush to lift out dead hair. It sheds little, dried mud falls out of a coat like this, and baths should be rare, so you don't wash away the natural oils that help it shrug off the wet.

After walks in the woods, check the paws and pads: in winter, little balls of snow can pack between the toes, and in summer ticks and thorns can hitch a ride. Lift the hanging ears every week and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. Trim the nails if they don't wear down on their own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (24 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 280 g of dry food a day, from €15,29 a month For a neutered, normally active 20 kg dog. Calculate for your dog