Swiss Hound

Who is it for?

Overview

A medium-sized scent hound with a lean, noble head framed by very long ears, the Swiss Hound comes in four coat varieties: Bernese, Bruno du Jura, Lucerne and Schwyz. Lively and keen, it usually hunts alone, giving voice as it trails hare, roe deer or fox, while remaining gentle, docile and very attached to its owner.

History and origins

Its origins are very old: a Roman mosaic found in Avenches already shows pack hounds close to today’s varieties, and the Swiss Hound was sought after by the Italians from the 15th century, then by the French in the 18th century, for the demanding hunt of hare. In 1882, a standard was set for each of the five types recognized at the time; the Thurgau Hound later disappeared, and a single standard brought the four remaining varieties together on January 22, 1933. Recognized by the FCI (standard no. 59), it has its followers among French hunters, especially in eastern France, with more than 350 dogs registered with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025.

Health

Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:

• Ear infections (very long ears)
• Hip dysplasia
• Obesity outside hunting season
• Hunting injuries and grass awns

Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.

Coat and care

Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: Bernese: white with black patches or saddle, tan markings, Bruno du Jura: fawn with black mantle, or black and tan, Lucerne: blue (heavily ticked), black patches and tan markings, Schwyz: white with orange-fawn patches or saddle.