At a glance the quick version
FCI standard figures; Wikipedia gives similar values in pounds (males 66-88 lb, females 55-70 lb).
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, dense coat
A strong, fairly long-bodied tracking hound with a thick, short and rather harsh coat that grows a little longer on the backs of the thighs and on the tail. The head often carries a darker mask.12
Personality what they are like
Even-tempered and self-assured, this hound forms a close, sensitive bond with its own person while staying reserved and selective with strangers. On a scent line it becomes intensely focused and persistent. It generally gets along well with other dogs.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A working tracker that does best with plenty of room to move and regular scent work; it is not considered well suited to city life.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, harsh coat needs only simple brushing to keep it tidy.1
Home where they are happiest
Most at home in a rural setting with space to exercise, ideally with a handler who hunts or does tracking.2
Company who they like around
Bonds strongly with one handler and is usually easygoing with other dogs; cool with unfamiliar people.12
The story where it all began
The breed traces back to the medieval leash hounds used to find game. Once firearms arrived, hunters needed a dog that could follow the cold trail of wounded deer, and the huntsmen of the Hanover estates refined this type for that job. A dedicated breed club, the Verein Hirschmann, has guarded its working qualities since 1894.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is a specialist at following the trail of wounded game, sometimes many hours after the animal has passed.1
- 2
In 1912 it was crossed with the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound to help create a lighter, more agile mountain tracker.2
- 3
Its breed club in Germany has been maintaining the breed with a strict focus on working ability since 1894.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 2 Leash (scent) hounds, working trial required; current standard dated 26.05.2015, country of origin Germany. Wikipedia gives 1964 as the year of FCI recognition.1
- UKC
- Recognised 1 January 1996 (per Wikipedia).2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Hanover Hound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard N° 213 Hannoverscher Schweisshund fci.beused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Hanover Hound - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, history, UKC recognition, exercise, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.