Sabueso Español

Also called Spanish Hound

Recognised breedFCI group 6Short profile

From Spain, mainly the mountainous north of the Iberian Peninsula.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Height, male52 to 57 cm1 2

Height, female48 to 53 cm1 2

Sizemedium

Gentle and affectionate

Calm at home

Tireless, courageous tracker

1 2

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, smooth

A medium-sized, long-bodied hound with an elegant head, very long ears and a gentle, slightly melancholy look. The coat is short, fine, dense and smooth all over. Females are clearly smaller and lighter than males.1 2

Colourswhite with orangewhite with lemonwhite with red-brown1 2

Personality what they are like

Mild, affectionate and easygoing in everyday life, it turns determined and fearless once on a scent. It is a devoted working companion for hunters and can also settle well with an active rural family.1 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A persistent scent hound that needs long daily walks and chances to follow its nose, ideally in open countryside.1 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short, smooth coat needs little more than a weekly brush; check the long ears regularly.1

Home where they are happiest

Best in a rural home with secure space; its loud voice suits the countryside more than close neighbours.2

Company who they like around

Traditionally worked alongside other hounds and hunters; enjoys company and an active routine.2

The story where it all began

Spanish hounds of this type were described in King Alfonso XI's 14th-century hunting book and in later Spanish hunting texts. They have long been used in northern Spain on boar, deer, hare and rabbit, and the modern standard dates from 1982.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
Its ears are so long they should reach past the tip of the nose.2
2
Hunters can tell what stage a hunt is at from changes in its booming voice.2
3
Its tail typically ends in a white tip.2
4
The breed was already written about in the 14th century.1

Recognised by the official bits

FCI: Standard no. 204, Group 6 (Scent hounds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized hounds; definitive acceptance 15 November 1957, standard 26 May 1982; working trial required.3
Real Sociedad Canina de España: Spanish breed standard; listed among Spain's vulnerable native breeds (per Wikipedia).2

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Sabueso Español. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

FCI standard no. 204 fci.beused for history, coat, colours, height, temperament
Wikipedia: Sabueso Español en.wikipedia.orgused for uses, fun facts, vulnerable status
FCI nomenclature: Sabueso Español (204) fci.beused for recognition

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.