At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length harsh coat with dense soft undercoat
A sturdy, nearly square-built hound that manages to look a little elegant without being heavy. The weather-resistant outer coat lies close to the body over a thick, soft underlayer, and it is shorter and sleeker on the head, ears and front legs. The tail may be naturally long or naturally short and stumpy.23
Personality what they are like
An even-tempered, good-natured hound that is devoted to its people and eager when working. It learns quickly, settles well into family life and reliably comes back to its owner after a hunt.234
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Bred to follow hare and fox through forest for long stretches, so it needs plenty of daily exercise and ideally regular chances to use its nose outdoors.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, close coat is easy to keep; an occasional brush and a bath only when needed are usually enough.3
Home where they are happiest
Best with an active household and access to the outdoors; the Swedish Kennel Club notes it does not suit being left alone in a kennel or apartment.3
Company who they like around
A people-oriented dog that does well as a family companion when its working and exercise needs are met.34
The story where it all began
Småland had a wide mix of scent hounds in the 1800s, built from German, Polish and Baltic hounds that came home with Swedish soldiers and were blended with local farm dogs and English hounds. In the early 20th century breeders, notably Baron Frederik von Essen, worked to fix the type, favouring the naturally bobtailed dogs, and the Swedish Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1921.234
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is regarded as the oldest of Sweden's native scent hound breeds.4
- 2
Some dogs are born with a naturally short, stumpy tail, which the standard accepts alongside a full-length tail.2
- 3
Its black-and-tan colouring sometimes leads people to mistake it for a small Rottweiler.4
- 4
It drives game with a dense, varied bark and can keep hunting over several days in a row.3
- 5
It is uncommon even in its homeland, with only around sixty puppies registered each year by the Swedish Kennel Club.4
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard No. 129, Group 6 (Scent hounds), Section 1.2 (Medium-sized hounds); definitive acceptance 12 Jan 1955; subject to a working trial1
- Swedish Kennel Club (SKK)
- Recognised 1921, when the first standard was written4
- UKC
- Recognised 20064
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Smaland Hound. 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 nomenclature: Smålandsstövare (129) fci.beused for recognition, origin
- FCI breed standard No. 129 fci.beused for size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Svenska Kennelklubben: Smålandsstövare skk.seused for use, care, activity, temperament, height
- Wikipedia: Smålandsstövare en.wikipedia.orgused for history, weight, lifespan, popularity, fun facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.