The Hamiltonstövare (Hamilton Hound) is a versatile scent hound, specialist in hunting hare and fox. Despite having a very strong hunting instinct, it has a friendly, gentle, and social nature, making an excellent family dog. It is one of Sweden's most popular dog breeds.
The Hamiltonstovare is a strikingly tricolored, handsome, upstanding dog — rectangular, well-proportioned, hardy, and sound, giving the impression of great strength and stamina, yet never heavy. A rectangularly built dog, agile and muscular, with an impression of strength, stamina, and endurance.
A Breed Named for a Count
Scent hounds have been known in Sweden since the 16th century. Hunting with hounds was, up to 1789, a privilege for royalty and gentry only — owning a hunting hound could result in heavy penalties as just owning one implied the owner was poaching. It was not until the end of the 18th century that the ban that had prevented the peasantry from hunting the land was lifted, and hounds earlier kept only by the nobility became known and commonly spread.
The Hamiltonstövare, as most of the Swedish scent hounds, derives from continental hounds of the East European type that came to Sweden with returning soldiers from the great wars during the 17th and 18th centuries. During the 19th century, additions of English Foxhounds, Harriers, and Swiss hounds were used in the development of the different Swedish scent hounds.
At the first dog show in Sweden in 1886, some 189 scent hounds were on exhibition. Among them were a dog and a bitch, named Pang and Stella, owned by Count Adolf Patrik Hamilton. This couple is considered the origin of the Hamiltonstövare, or as the hounds initially were called, Swedish Hound. Because the terrain in Sweden is mountainous and covered with forest, the Count sought a hunting dog with sufficient strength and agility to hunt hare and fox over this challenging ground. The breed gained the name Hamiltonstövare in 1921 as a homage to the man who had created the breed — Count A.P. Hamilton, the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club. The breed is also known as the Hamilton Hound and the Swedish Foxhound.
A Hardy, Weather-Resistant Hound
The Hamiltonstovare is a medium-to-large sized hound, slightly longer than tall, with a close-lying, short, tricolored coat (black, tan, and white), neat hard feet, and a proud head and upstanding carriage. The height at the withers for males is ideally 57 cm, with an allowance of 53–61 cm; females are ideally 53 cm but allowed to be 49–57 cm.
The coat consists of two layers: a short, close, and soft undercoat — especially thick during winter — and an upper coat that is strongly weather resistant and lies close to the body. The color is black on the upper side of the neck, back, sides of the trunk, and upper side of the tail; brown on the head and legs, as well as the side of the neck, trunk, and tail; and white on the blaze, underside of the neck, breast, tip of the tail, and feet.
Even-Tempered and Independent
The Hamiltonstovare is easy to train and has an even and friendly temperament — a typical even-tempered hound. The main feature of the breed is its outstanding hunting ability. Because it was bred to hunt singly or with just one other dog, the Hamiltonstovare is naturally brave and independent. Unlike most scent hounds, the Hamilton also gives chase by sight as well as scent.
Alert, determined, and independent, the Hamiltonstovare is affectionate with its family and tolerant of younger children who are canine-respectful. It becomes very devoted to its family and will defend them if needed, but lacks the aggression to be considered a guard dog. They are highly sociable and should never be expected to live alone.
Exercise and Activity
The Hamiltonstovare is an energetic dog that displays courage, needing a minimum of two hours of exercise per day, to include training, games, and scent work to keep its mind active and fulfilled. This is not a dog happy with a couple of walks around the block — activities such as Cani-X, fell-running, and jogging help keep the Hamiltonstovare occupied. They are bred to hunt and are inclined to wander if not under supervision, so a fenced garden is essential.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this high-energy hound.
Training a Hamiltonstovare
The Hamiltonstovare is intelligent and very food-driven, which is handy during training — they respond well to positive reinforcement and are easier to train than other hounds with a stubborn streak. However, their strong prey drive and hunting instinct present a challenge with recall, so training a solid recall is a must, with careful management on a long line likely to be necessary in new or insecure locations. Using positive reinforcement and sensitive, consistent methods, the Hamiltonstovare can become a well-behaved member of the family — without it, they're inclined to be something of a boisterous hooligan.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Hamiltonstovare
The Hamiltonstovare has a short, weather-resistant double coat that is easily maintained, requiring only occasional brushing to remove dead hair. It's a low-shedding, low-odor breed. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning (particularly given the floppy hound ears), and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week (daily during shedding season) | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated hound.
Feeding a Hamiltonstovare
A Hamiltonstovare should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As a very active hound, it needs sound nutrition to support daily exercise.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1.5–2 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 3–4 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 2.5–3.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Hamiltonstovare has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years per some sources, with others reporting 14 to 17 years. It's a hardy, generally healthy breed, but as a deep-chested hound it can be at risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), so feed several smaller meals and avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating. Responsible breeders screen their stock.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip/elbow dysplasia and bloat awareness | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 5–6 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Although a hunting dog that benefits from vigorous exercise, the Hamiltonstovare feels quite at home inside with its family — it can be pretty lazy around the house and is good-natured with children. They are excellent dogs to bring children up with, as they are full of fun while still being very patient. However, they need a big, very securely fenced garden and are not a dog for the urban dweller — this hound needs access to lots of countryside walks and secure places to run, and can be vocal when bored or left alone.
The breed remains relatively rare outside Sweden, with very few breeders in the United States. If you're weighing whether a Hamiltonstovare fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Hamiltonstovare means committing to a strong-willed, independent hound with a powerful prey drive and high exercise needs — minimum two hours daily. They're inclined to wander and chase, so recall training and secure fencing are essential. They don't tolerate being left alone or bored, becoming vocal and destructive, and aren't suited to urban life. Prior scent hound experience is recommended.
Yet for the right owner, the Hamiltonstovare is incomparable — a formidable hunter of hare and fox, and equally at home on a quiet evening on the couch with the family.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Friendly, gentle, social nature
- Excellent family dog — patient with children
- Hardy and healthy with great stamina
- Low shedding, low odor, easy to groom
- Easy to train (food-driven) for a hound
- Strikingly handsome tricolor coat
Disadvantages
- Very high exercise needs
- Strong prey drive and wandering instinct
- Can be vocal and destructive when bored or alone
- Independent and stubborn streak
- Not for urban living
- Very rare outside Sweden
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Hamiltonstovare get? Males 53–61 cm; females 49–57 cm; weight 40–75 lb.
How long do Hamiltonstovare live? Typically 10–17 years depending on source.
Are Hamiltonstovare good family dogs? Yes — friendly, gentle, and patient with children.
Are Hamiltonstovare easy to train? Food-driven and responsive, but independent-minded.
Are Hamiltonstovare good for first-time owners? Scent hound experience is recommended.
Are Hamiltonstovare good with other pets? Hunting instinct means care with small animals.
Are Hamiltonstovare good apartment dogs? No — they need a large, secure garden and countryside.
What were Hamiltonstovare bred to do? Hunt hare and fox singly or in pairs.
Do Hamiltonstovare bark a lot? Vocal when bored, worried, or left alone.
Are Hamiltonstovare rare? Very rare outside Sweden and Britain.
Are Hamiltonstovare good watchdogs? Devoted and will defend, but lack guard-dog aggression.
What health problems do Hamiltonstovare have? Generally healthy; bloat risk as a deep-chested hound.