Hanoverian Scenthound puppies

About the Hanoverian Scenthound

The Hanoverian Scenthound was developed in Germany for one demanding job: following the cold blood trail of a wounded deer or boar, sometimes many hours after the animal passed. This is a heavy, powerful hound of 35.8 to 44.9 kg on relatively short legs at 48 to 53 cm, with a dense short coat, a furrowed brow and low set ears. The character matches the work. They are serious, calm and methodical, deeply attached to their own handler and reserved with people they do not know.

A Hanoverian asks a lot of their owner. They need hours of activity every day and, more importantly, real scent work to occupy the head, or they become restless, noisy and destructive. Grooming is minimal, a brush now and then, with regular ear checks. They get on notably well with other dogs, rated 5 out of 5, and need space rather than a flat. Make tracking part of their life: choosing one on looks and never giving them a trail to follow is the fastest route to an unhappy dog.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Hanoverian Scenthound puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, screened by hip and elbow evaluation of breeding stock
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with deep chests
• Ear infections in the low set drop ears, found by checking and cleaning the ears weekly

Your Hanoverian Scenthound puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Hanoverian Scenthound.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 35.8 to 44.9 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 44.9 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Do slow feeder bowls work? Choosing one for a puppy that gulps
• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other large breeds

More on the Hanoverian Scenthound

Previous: Hamiltonstovare · Next: Harrier

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Hanoverian Scenthound breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hanoverian-scenthound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.