Smalandsstovare
SMOH-lands-stoh-vah-ruh
Sweden· Smaland, southern Sweden
The Smalandsstovare is Sweden's oldest native hound breed, a small, sturdy scenthound bred for careful forest trailing.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
1-2 hours per day
Home size suited to
Medium
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
12-14 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Medium or larger
Where it comes from
Origins of the Smalandsstovare
The dense, difficult forests of Smaland demanded a compact, hardy hound able to push through thick undergrowth at a slow, careful pace rather than run flat out. Farmers needed a dog that could be kept cheaply and worked alone, tracking quietly and thoroughly rather than covering vast distances at speed.
- Region
- Smaland, southern Sweden
- Climate it was bred for
- Cold winters, dense coniferous forest
- Original job
- Slow, methodical trailing of hare and fox in thick forest
The long read
About the breed
Centuries of use by ordinary farmers rather than the aristocracy shaped a modest-sized, economical dog that hunts quietly and methodically at close range in thick cover, giving tongue only when the trail is fresh. This working style favours patience and precision over raw speed.
It is a loyal, calm companion at home, generally easy to manage, though it keeps a strong nose-led instinct outdoors and needs a secure area or lead in open country. It suits an active countryside household better than a sedentary or urban one.
Despite its long history the breed remains rare even in Sweden and is almost unknown elsewhere, kept mainly by dedicated hunting enthusiasts.
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 Smalandsstovare 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 Smalandsstovare 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 Smalandsstovare'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
1600s
Ancient regional hound
A naturally bobtailed forest hound of Smaland is recorded as being used by local farmers for centuries.
1900s
Near disappearance
Changing hunting practices reduced numbers of the traditional type sharply.
1921
Breed club formed
Enthusiasts organised to preserve and standardise the surviving stock.
1949
FCI recognition
The breed received official recognition under its own standard.
1990s
Conservation efforts
Dedicated breeders worked to maintain genetic diversity within a small population.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact and muscular, with a short, naturally bobbed or very short tail.
- coat
- Short, hard and dense.
- ears
- Medium-sized, set high, hanging close to the head.
- eyes
- Dark brown, calm and steady.
- head
- Broad skull with a moderate stop and strong, slightly tapering muzzle.
- size
- Dogs 46-54cm, bitches 42-50cm
- colour
- Black and tan, sometimes with small white markings on chest or feet.
- temperament
- Calm, loyal and steady, with a careful, methodical hunting style.
- general appearance
- A small, sturdy, square-built hound, naturally bobtailed or with a short tail, calm in demeanour.
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
Smalandsstovares added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
Loading the wall…
Made for the Smalandsstovare
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Smalandsstovare 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
Smalandsstovare Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Smalandsstovare illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Smalandsstovare Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Smalandsstovare illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Smalandsstovare Mug
Ceramic mug with the Smalandsstovare illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Travel Water Bottle & Bowl
550ml bottle with a fold-out drinking trough.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Smalandsstovare video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
Watch now