Scenthound Medium size 16-22 kg

Dunker

A Norwegian hare-hound with a keen nose and mellow temperament - a good active companion for owners who can meet its exercise needs.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
16-22 kg, 47-55 cm
High
Activity
High tracking stamina
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles normal work days
Moderate
Trainability
Trainable but scent-distracted
Low
Coat care
Short coat, minimal grooming
Good
Fit with kids
Good with children
Moderate
Other pets
Generally sociable pack hound
Light
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, Chronic ear infections

The Dunker typically weighs 16-22 kg, stands 47-55 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you run, hike or hunt and want a tireless trail partner,
you value a mellow, friendly house dog once the exercise box is ticked,
you can offer secure areas or long lines instead of off-leash freedom,
you are willing to import or wait - this is a Norwegian rarity abroad.

Do not consider this breed if…

an hour of hard exercise a day is more than you can promise,
baying on scent would be a problem where you live,
you expect reliable recall around wildlife,
you need a watchdog - the Dunker greets strangers like old friends.

A typical day with a Dunker

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long brisk walk or slow run, nose working
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Naps off the morning miles
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Backyard sniffing, food puzzle
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Main session: tracking, canicross, long-line hike
  5. 19:30 · Evening
    Mellow couch company, easygoing with everyone
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps hard after a properly used day

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Stamina Very high
Friendliness High
Trainability Moderate
Vocality High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Buying a hunting hound for a lifestyle that offers two short walks · Skipping hearing checks in a breed with merle-linked deafness · Expecting recall to beat a hare trail - manage with lines and fences instead

Family and environment

Kids Good
Even-tempered and tolerant family hound.
Dogs Good
Pack-friendly; usually thrives with canine company.
Cats Conditional
Raised-together can work; the chase instinct stays.
Apartment Poor fit
Energy and trail voice both argue against it.
House with a yard Suitable
With secure fencing and real daily outings.
City Conditional
Doable for runners; scent distractions everywhere.
Countryside Ideal
Bred for Norwegian forests - trails are home.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Chronic ear infections Check drop ears regularly
Deafness Linked to merle coloring
Hypothyroidism Bloodwork if signs appear

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Swedish neighbor with the same hare-hound job
Hamilton Hound
An elegant, good-natured Swedish scenthound - affectionate and fairly trainable, but a strong nose and high stamina still demand real exercise.
View profile →
Nordic scenthound of very similar type
Finnish Hound
A friendly, tireless Finnish scenthound bred for tracking, best for a rural, active home rather than close quarters.
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More obtainable mid-size pack hound
Beagle Harrier
A friendly French pack hound between a Beagle and a Harrier, great with families but a determined nose that ignores the recall.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Dunker cost?
Realistically, buying one outside Scandinavia means importing from Norway: puppy price in the rough $1,000-$2,000 range plus $1,000-$2,500+ in transport and paperwork, and a wait for a litter - US breeders are close to nonexistent. Over 12-15 years, food and routine care for a medium dog typically add $15,000-$20,000+.
What is a Dunker bred for?
Hare hunting in Norway. It trails hare by scent for hours across rough terrain, giving voice as it goes, and it is still primarily a hunter's dog in its homeland. That heritage means stamina, independence on a trail, and a loud bay - all features, not bugs, that a pet home must plan around.
Is the Dunker's merle coloring a health problem?
The breed's classic blue-marbled coat is a merle-type pattern, and deafness linked to it is a documented concern - one reason Norwegian breeders manage matings carefully. Ask any breeder how they pair coat colors and whether puppies' hearing is checked before sale.
Is a Dunker a good family dog?
Temperament-wise, yes - it is notably friendly, stable and good with kids, without guarding sharpness. The honest limits are logistics: it needs an hour or two of real exercise daily, secure containment, tolerance for baying, and you first have to actually get one, which usually means importing.