Smalandsstovare

Also known as: Smalands Hound

The Smålandsstövare comes from the Småland region of southern Sweden, where farmers kept compact scenthounds to trail small game alone rather than in a pack. It is one of the few breeds born with a naturally short or bobbed tail, without any docking involved. The short, dense coat suits Scandinavia's damp, cold climate well and needs little upkeep. An adult male rarely exceeds 19 kilograms, lighter than most medium scenthounds, built for stamina rather than speed. The breed is almost unknown outside Sweden and rarely appears in international show rings. A strong nose and dogged persistence on a trail are its defining traits, so without enough outdoor work it can grow restless indoors. Its hound voice, useful in the field, may not suit a dense urban neighbourhood. Life expectancy runs 12 to 13 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Smalandsstovare: how old in human years?

42–54 cmHeight
13–19 kgWeight
12–13 yrsLife expectancy

Styrian Coarse-haired Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 129
Country of origin: Sweden

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 46–54 cm

Females 42–50 cm

Weight

Males 15–19 kg

Females 13–17 kg

Life expectancy

12–13 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Smalandsstovare's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

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

Exercise, Energy & Space

Smalandsstovare's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5

Guarding & Alertness

Smalandsstovare's guarding and alertness traits are low.

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

Grooming & Care

Smalandsstovare's grooming needs are low.

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

Living with the Smalandsstovare

If your notebook describes the ideal dog as "medium-sized, serious but not gloomy, always ready for a hike", the Smalandsstovare would fit with very few corrections. It is a Swedish hound from the forests of Småland, bred to follow hare and fox, black with tan markings, and some are born with a short tail. It has plenty of energy, but not a frantic amount: every day it needs long walks and a chance to use its nose, after which it is happy to rest.

Among hounds it is one of the easier ones to train: clever, willing to cooperate, and responsive to praise and treats. The hunting instinct doesn't go anywhere, though, so work on recall from puppyhood and keep a long line on in meadows full of hares. It gets on well with other dogs, greets strangers politely, sometimes with a touch of reserve, and barks in moderation.

In the family it is gentle and patient, good with children, and likes to be where life is happening. It can live in a flat if it gets enough exercise every day, but it will be happiest in a house with a garden and an owner for whom a weekend without the forest is a weekend wasted.

Grooming and coat

A brush, a rubber mitt and five minutes a week: that is roughly what a Smalandsstovare needs. Its coat is short, dense and fairly harsh, good at keeping out Swedish rain and snow, and most of the dirt simply falls off once it dries. It sheds little, so you will hardly see hair around the house, and a bath is only called for after a particularly unfortunate meeting with a puddle.

After walks in the woods, check the coat for ticks and look between the paw pads for needles or cuts. Check the ears once a week: they should be clean, with no redness or bad smell, and if they aren't, it is worth talking to 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 (19 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.

≈ 235 g of dry food a day, from €12,94 a month For a neutered, normally active 16 kg dog. Calculate for your dog