Other names:
Hanover Hound, Hanoverian Hound, Hannoverscher Schweisshund
The Chien rouge de Hanovre, or Hanover Red Dog, is a bloodhound that can be traced all the way back to medieval times. It has been used as a tracking hound for hundreds of years. The Hanover Red Dog remains a very rare breed. It’s still very much a working dog and is unaccustomed to the domestic life of the household dog. They prefer living in packs and should only be kept as pets by owners who live in or near the countryside.
Key facts about the Hanoverian Scent Hound
Life expectancy :
Between 11 and 13 years
Temperament :
Playful, Intelligent, Hunter
Size :
Medium
Type of coat :
Short
FCI Group
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 2 : Leash (scent) Hounds
Physical characteristics of the Hanoverian Scent Hound
Adult size
Female dog
Between 19 and 21 in
Male dog
Between 20 and 22 in
Weight
Female dog
Between 55 and 77 lb
Male dog
Between 66 and 88 lb
Coat colour
Red or dark brown.
Type of coat
Short, flat, tight to the body.
Eye colour
Dark brown.
Description
The Hanover Red Dog is medium sized and well proportioned, with a lean and muscular torso, a wide, deep chest and slightly wrinkled forehead. His eyes are deep and lively, so as to give a severe expression. His medium-length ears are broad and attached high, smooth and not coiled, hanging by the head. His tail is long and slightly curved, held high, robust and tapered towards the tip.
Temperament
Affectionate
A friendly breed that is very affectionate towards his owners and other pack members. Much more reserved around strangers.
Playful
He loves to play and spend time with his master, especially if the games involve interesting smells.
Calm
This dog has lots of enthusiasm for its work but is very chilled out about everything else.
Intelligent
Scent hounds are well known for their high level of intelligence. The Hanover Red Dog is a very quick learner that needs plenty of mental stimulation.
Hunter
He’s a born hunter, with superb tracking instincts, and an excellent sense of smell and vision. He has a determined nature and will track his prey for hours.
Fearful / wary of strangers
He tends to keep his distance from new people, and does not trust easily.
Independent
He is fairly independent, and will quickly do his best if he is not well-supervised.
Behaviour of the Hanoverian Scent Hound
Tolerates solitude
He is a pack dog who needs constant company unless he has been positively habituated to periods of solitude from a young age.
Easy to train / obedience
This is not the easiest dog to educate due to his hunting and guarding instincts. He must be trained firmly and with kindness from puppyhood.
Barking
No issues with excessive barking.
Tendency to run away
Scent hounds do like to explore and will follow a scent if they catch one. Make sure the front and back gardens are fully secured.
Destructive
A bored working dog can do silly things, especially if he’s left alone for too long.
Greedy / Gluttony
He has a healthy appetite for a dog of his size, but not known for being a greedy breed. Treats are useful for training.
Guard dog
He is very attached to his master, and sometimes even possessive. He is a good and protective guardian.
First dog
The Hanover Red Dog is nowhere near as domesticated as most other breeds. This means he can be a bit too difficult to handle for most first-time dog-owners.
Lifestyle
Hanoverian Scent Hound in a flat
These scent hounds were bred to live and explore the great outdoors. They need plenty of space to feel truly satisfied. Should never be kept in a flat.
Need for exercise / Sporty
This is a tracking dog that needs around 90 mins of exercise every day to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. Walks don’t have to be intense, but they should be interesting. These dogs love to explore the countryside.
Travelling / easy to transport
The Hanover Red Dog is fairly easy to transport, but can get bored or restless on long car journeys. Some public transport could also be tricky, and he is too big to fly on commercial airliners.
Compatibility
Hanoverian Scent Hound and cats
Hunting dogs with a high prey drive don't mix well with cats. Keep them well apart unless they have grown up together.
Hanoverian Scent Hound and dogs
A pack dog that thrives off the company of other canines. A naturally social animal, who should get used to canine company early on.
Hanoverian Scent Hound and children
The Hanover Red Dog is playful and can get along with children who know how to “talk dog” and respect his true nature.
Hanoverian Scent Hound and the elderly
This is a calm and docile breed that gets on well with elderly people. Any elderly owners must be aware of his exercise needs.
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price. However, looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £150 to £190 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
Minimal grooming requirements. A weekly brush will keep his short coat clean and healthy.
Shedding
Very low shedding.
Nutrition of the Hanoverian Scent Hound
Two to three cups of high-quality dog food a day.
Health of the Hanoverian Scent Hound
Life expectancy
A well-bred animal. Generally very healthy, but prone to ear infections. It's average life expectancy is 12 years.
Strong / robust
This is a strong, sturdy dog with a muscular body. He is well-balanced and agile, and physically and mentally tough.
Withstand heat
His short, tight coat helps keep him cool during the summer months, but beware of heat stroke during heat waves.
Withstand cold
He can sleep outside, but might struggle during the coldest times of the year. He will need a coat for winter-time walks.
Tendency to put on weight
He has a modest appetite, and no issues with weight gain or obesity.
The Hanover Red Dog is a very rare breed. Potential owners will need to contact a specialist breeder. Hanover Red Dogs are usually imported into the UK. This can be very expensive.
He has an exceptionally high-prey drive, even for a scenthound, and can become single-minded once he catches a scent. He also needs to be exercised in the countryside, and will quickly get bored and frustrated if kept on the leash. Since he is still a real working dog, he may not be suited to domestic life.
Origins and history
Scenthounds can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages, but the modern breeds were developed in the 18th century. Unsurprisingly, the Hanover Red Dog was developed in the Hanover region of Germany. The Hanover red dog is primarily used to track big game, such as deer and elk. They were designed to thrive in mountainous regions and are not really suited to urban living.
