Hygen Hound
HOO-gen hound
Norway· Norway
The Hygen Hound is a Norwegian scenthound bred for trailing hare and fox while baying loudly and continuously.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
12-13 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the Hygen Hound
Norway's forested hills required a hound that could work a scent independently while giving tongue loudly and consistently, letting the hunter on foot follow its progress from a distance across difficult wooded terrain. Reliable, sustained baying mattered as much as the nose itself.
- Region
- Norway
- Climate it was bred for
- Cold winters, forested and hilly terrain
- Original job
- Trailing hare and fox with a strong, clear voice for the hunter to follow
The long read
About the breed
Its development prioritised a clear, sustained voice combined with a good working nose, since the hunter relied entirely on sound to track the dog's progress through dense forest. This shaped a hound that is vocal, persistent and single-minded once on a scent.
At home it is friendly and even-tempered, though its tendency to bark and bay can be a challenge in close residential settings. It needs a large amount of exercise and mental stimulation and thrives with an active hunting or countryside owner.
The breed remains almost entirely confined to Norway, valued there as a working hunting hound rather than a show or companion breed.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Hygen Hound greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Hygen Hound is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Hygen Hound's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1830s
Regional hound stock
Local Norwegian trailing hounds provided the base stock for later development.
1880s
Hans Hygen's breeding programme
Hans Hygen crossed local hounds with imported breeds to develop a strong-voiced, capable trailing hound.
1934
Breed standard adopted
The Norwegian Kennel Club approved a formal standard for the breed.
1950s
FCI recognition
International recognition followed under the FCI.
2000s
Continued specialist use
The breed remains used almost exclusively by Norwegian hare and fox hunters.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Strong and well-muscled, deep chest, straight back.
- coat
- Short, dense and coarse.
- ears
- Medium length, set fairly high, hanging close to the head.
- eyes
- Dark brown, alert.
- head
- Fairly broad skull, moderate stop, strong jaw.
- size
- Dogs 49-58cm, bitches 47-56cm
- colour
- Red and white, or black, tan and white.
- temperament
- Confident, vocal and persistent when working, friendly and sociable at home.
- general appearance
- A medium-sized, robustly built hound with a strong, clear voice and confident bearing.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Hygen Hounds added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Hygen Hound
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Hygen Hound illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Hygen Hound Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Hygen Hound illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Hygen Hound Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Hygen Hound illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Hygen Hound Mug
Ceramic mug with the Hygen Hound illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Stainless Dog Bowl
Weighted, non-slip base. Dishwasher safe.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Hygen Hound video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
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