Dogs
Small Lucerne Hound
Other names: Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund, Small Swiss Hound, Small Lucerne Hound, Luzerner Niederlaufhund
- Origin
- Switzerland
- Size
- Small
- Height · Male
- 35–43 cm
- Height · Female
- 33–40 cm
- Weight · Male
- 8–15 kg
- Weight · Female
- 8–15 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- FCI
- FCI group 6 · 6 · n.º 60
Traits
At home
Care
History
At the turn of the century, the system of shoots (hunting grounds) was introduced into several Swiss Cantons. As the opinion was that the generally popular medium-sized Swiss Hounds (Schweizer Laufhunde) were too fast for enclosed shoots, it was decided to replace them with smaller short-legged scenthounds. The new smaller breed, bred through planned selection of stock and suitable crossing, was called Niederlaufhund ("short-legged Scenthound"). It distinguished itself by the following qualities : relatively low on leg, with attractive coat colours similar to those of the medium-sized Swiss Hounds (Schweizer Laufhunde), with a melodious cry when hunting and searching and with a very passionate determaination to find game and to do track work.
The Schweizer Niederlaufhund Club, first known by the name "Schweizerischer Dachsbracken Club", was founded on June 1st 1905.