Schillerstovare
SHIL-er-stoh-vah-ruh
Sweden· Southern Sweden
The Schillerstovare is a medium-sized Swedish scenthound developed for fast solitary trailing of hare and fox.
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 Schillerstovare
Southern Sweden's rolling forest and farmland rewarded a hound with more pace than the older Swedish trailing breeds, so hunters wanted a lighter, faster dog that could still work a scent alone through the day. The result was a hound bred specifically for speed and drive rather than the slower, more deliberate style of its cousins.
- Region
- Southern Sweden
- Climate it was bred for
- Cold winters, mixed forest and farmland
- Original job
- Fast trailing of hare and fox alone over rough terrain
The long read
About the breed
Selective breeding for speed and drive over the older, slower Swedish hound types produced a lighter, more energetic dog with intense hunting focus. Its build favours quick, sustained running rather than the plodding endurance of some related breeds.
It is affectionate and biddable with its family but retains a powerful prey drive and needs secure, vigorous daily exercise; it is not suited to town life without dedicated outlets for its energy. Recall around scent is a lifelong training project for most owners.
It remains a working hound in Sweden with a small but devoted following and is rarely seen outside Scandinavia.
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 Schillerstovare 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 Schillerstovare 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 Schillerstovare'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
1890s
Selective breeding begins
Per Schiller began selecting faster, lighter hounds from existing Swedish and Swiss stock.
1907
Type fixed
The breed's modern type was largely established through continued selective crossing.
1952
FCI recognition
The breed gained formal recognition under its own standard.
1970s
Established hunting breed
Became a recognised specialist hare and fox hound within Sweden.
2000s
Continued rarity
The breed has stayed a niche working hound with very limited presence abroad.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Lighter framed than the Hamiltonstovare, with a deep chest and strong, long legs built for speed.
- coat
- Short, dense and smooth-lying.
- ears
- Set moderately high, hanging flat and close to the cheeks.
- eyes
- Dark, alert and lively in expression.
- head
- Fairly long, moderately broad skull with a defined but gentle stop.
- size
- Dogs 53-61cm, bitches 51-59cm
- colour
- Tricolour: black over a tan body with white markings on chest, feet and tail tip.
- temperament
- Lively, driven and intensely focused when working, gentle and affectionate at home.
- general appearance
- A lightly built, energetic tricolour hound, faster and more streamlined than related Swedish hounds.
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
Schillerstovares added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Schillerstovare
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Schillerstovare 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
Schillerstovare Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Schillerstovare illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Schillerstovare Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Schillerstovare illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Schillerstovare Mug
Ceramic mug with the Schillerstovare illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Waste Bag Dispenser
Clips to the lead, holds one standard roll.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
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