Spanish Hound

Also known as: Sabueso Hound, Spanish Beagle, Sabueso Cantabro, Large Spanish Hound, Cantabrian Scenthound

The Sabueso Español is an old Spanish scenthound whose ancestors were used in hunting as far back as the Middle Ages, with the modern type shaped as a trailing dog for wild boar and larger game. Its most striking trait is a pair of exceptionally large, low-hanging ears, which hunters believe help stir scent particles up off the ground toward the nose while trailing. The short, dense coat needs minimal care, and a male weighs up to 25 kilograms. The breed is known for an especially powerful nose, ranked among the strongest of Europe's scenthounds, and it typically hunts in packs, giving voice on a trail for hours at a stretch. At home it is calm but carries a strong hunting drive. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Spanish Hound: how old in human years?

48–57 cmHeight
16–25 kgWeight
10–12 yrsLife expectancy

Petit Bleu de Gascogne

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 204
Country of origin: Spain

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

2/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 52–57 cm

Females 48–52 cm

Weight

Males 18–25 kg

Females 16–22 kg

Life expectancy

10–12 yrs

Coat

short, dense (short)

Temperament & Family Life

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

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 2/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Spanish Hound'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

Spanish Hound's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Spanish Hound's grooming needs are low.

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

Living with the Spanish Hound

In the dry grass of the Spanish hills a trail can be hours old, and that is exactly what the Spanish Hound was bred for: nose to the ground, ears nearly sweeping the path, and a voice that tells the hunter which way the chase is going. It is patient and tireless, a dog that works long and at its own pace, so it needs a great deal of exercise: long walks, tracking, time out in the fields.

It can be trained, but not in a hurry. It is independent and stubborn as a true hound, and the call of its nose is regularly louder than your voice, so short, cheerful sessions with treats work better than strictness. Its prey drive is very strong, so off-lead running belongs in a fenced area, and a cat at home needs to be introduced to it very carefully.

With its own family it is gentle and affectionate, it gets along with children and usually with other dogs, and it is reserved with strangers and announces them with a bark. It is too big and too loud for a flat; it is happiest in a house with a garden, with people who hunt or simply spend a lot of time outdoors. After a good hike it turns into a lazy sofa dog, which is perhaps the best reward for your efforts.

Grooming and coat

The Spanish Hound's coat is short and dense, so a comb will hardly ever come out: a weekly going-over with a rubber mitt or brush and a wipe with a damp cloth is enough. It sheds little, the hair doesn't tangle, and a bath is needed only once the smell reaches you before the dog does.

The long, hanging ears, on the other hand, are something you will check regularly. Lift them once a week and after every hike through scrub: inside they should be clean and dry, free of seeds, redness or a bad smell, and if you notice anything amiss, see a vet. After the woods, check the coat for ticks, look over the paws, and trim the nails if they don't wear down on their own. The lips leave the occasional damp mark, but a towel by the bowl handles it.

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 large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (25 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 €15,46 a month For a neutered, normally active 20,3 kg dog. Calculate for your dog