A Hanover Hound is a popular companion for hunters or the search and rescue services. This is mainly due to its fine sense of smell and passion for retrieval. When it isn’t busy tracking, it is even-tempered, gentle and friendly. Find out in our breed description what you should offer these dogs in return.
Hanover Hound Breed Information
| Breed information: | The Hanover Hound is a medium-sized, strong thoroughbred bloodhound, which puts all its strength, endurance and devotion into tracking work. Besides hunting, this breed is calm and friendly. |
| Shoulder height: | 48 – 55cm |
| Weight: | 25 – 40kg |
| Average life expectancy: | 10-14 years |
| Price: | From several thousand pounds upwards, possibly exceeding £5000. |
| Nature: | Pronounced hunting instinct, calm, friendly, intelligent, affectionate |
| Fur: | Short and thick |
| Fur colour: | Light to dark deer red, more or less brindled, with or without facial mask |
| Training requirements: | Low |
| Care requirements: | Low |
| Exercise requirements: | High |
| Origin: | Germany |
Appearance: Medium-Sized and Well-Proportioned
The forehead is slightly wrinkled and the dark eyes sparkle expressively: a Hanover Hound, sometimes also known as a Hanoverian Hound, typically looks serious.
This isn’t surprising: After all, this bloodhound breed has an important job to complete. Hanover Hounds are pros at tracking injured animals and are assisted by their broad nose with wide-open nostrils.
How Big Does a Hanover Hound Get?
Hanover Hounds are a medium-sized dog breed. They can grow between 48 and 55 centimetres in size and reach between 25 and 40 kilograms in weight.
Since running is also one of their tasks, Hanover Hounds are well-proportioned and powerfully built. Their limbs are strong and muscular, and the chest is broad and deep, so that these four-legged friends don’t get out of breath even when covering long distances in the woods.
Another typical feature of Hanover Hounds are their high-set floppy ears, which hang down close to their head and are bluntly rounded at the bottom.
In Which Colours is This Breed Found?
Typical of the breed is a red base colour, which ranges from light to dark deer red and may be more or less brindled. There are dogs with or without a facial mask, whilst those with small white markings on the chest are still considered true representatives of this dog breed.
The Hanover Hound’s fur is short, thick and coarse. It is somewhat longer and coarser only on the rear edge of the thighs and the lower side of the tail, which is set high and slightly curved with Hanover Hounds.
Why the Bloodhound?
This breed is classed as a bloodhound. ‘Blood’ refers to the blood of game that has been shot or injured in traffic.
Dogs pick up this ‘blood track’ and help hunters to find game after it has been shot. This is also referred to as retrieval.
Buying a Hanover Hound: Where Are These Hunting Pros?
In the United Kingdom, the traditional way to obtain a Hanover Hound is through the Hanoverian Hound Society (HHS), dog shows or online search (e.g. breeder directories).
What Does a Hanover Hound Cost?
A Hanover Hound currently costs from several thousand pounds upwards, possibly exceeding £5000. For this price, you get a staunch and robust dog guaranteed to meet the breed standards.
Conclusion: An Ideal Dog for Hunters, Police Officers and Rescue Workers
The hurdles of owning a Hanover Hound are significant. Although these dogs are easy to groom and train, they pose significant requirements in terms of housing.
However, if you have experience with hunting or rescue dogs and can offer a four-legged friend regular missions, a Hanover Hound makes a perfect companion for you and your family.
Source: Zooplus