Scenthound Medium size 18-25 kg
Schiller Hound
A fast, hardy Swedish tracking hound built for cold-weather hunting - its stamina, drive and voice suit an active rural home, not apartment life.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Medium
Size
18-25 kg, 49-61 cm tall
Very high
Activity
Endurance hunter needing hard daily exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
A working hound that dislikes long solitude
Moderate
Handling
Willing but independent and scent-driven
Low
Coat care
Short coat, minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly and even-tempered with family
Good
Other pets
Social with dogs; strong prey drive to small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, bloat risk
The Schiller Hound typically weighs 18-25 kg, stands 49-61 cm, and lives 12-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you are active outdoors and want a stamina-heavy walking partner,
you hunt or can give the dog long daily runs and scent work,
you live rurally where baying and a strong nose are not a problem,
someone is home much of the day.
Do not consider this breed if…
you live in an apartment or a home with close neighbors,
you want a calm, low-exercise companion,
you cannot secure a yard against a determined nose that follows scent,
small pets like rabbits or cats roam loose in the home.
A typical day with a Schiller Hound
- 6:30 · MorningLong run or off-leash exercise in a safe area
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest after exercise, near the family
- 12:30 · NoonSniffing walk and scent games
- 16:00 · AfternoonTraining with high-value rewards, short and upbeat
- 18:30 · EveningSecond long outing or tracking practice
- 21:00 · NightA well-exercised hound settles calmly
Family and environment
Kids Good
Friendly and even-tempered; supervise the usual way with any active dog.
Dogs Good
Pack hound that generally enjoys other dogs' company.
Cats Cautious
Strong prey drive toward small animals; risky with cats and rabbits.
Apartment Poor fit
Too much energy and voice for close-quarters living.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs secure fencing; a scent trail will lure it off.
City Conditional
Manages only with heavy daily exercise and tolerant neighbors.
Countryside Ideal
Space to run and track suits this working hound best.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
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 profileTop health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock for hip scores
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals, avoid exercise right after eating
Chronic ear infections Long ears need routine cleaning
Hypothyroidism Manageable with daily medication once diagnosed
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Closely related Swedish scenthound
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 tracking hound with similar drive
Finnish Hound
A friendly, tireless Finnish scenthound bred for tracking, best for a rural, active home rather than close quarters.
View profile →
Medium pack scenthound of comparable energy
Harrier
A sturdy, sociable pack hound like a bigger Beagle - cheerful and good with company, but energetic with a nose that pulls it away.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Schiller Hound cost in the US?
This is a Swedish hunting breed that is very rare outside Scandinavia, so realistically you would import one, and travel and paperwork can add well over a thousand dollars to the purchase price. Over a 12-14 year life, food, secure fencing and routine vet care typically add $12,000 or more, with bloat surgery or joint disease adding thousands if they occur. Expect a real search and likely a waitlist.
Does a Schiller Hound need a lot of exercise?
Yes. It was bred as a fast, tireless tracking hound and needs long daily runs plus scent work. A short walk will not satisfy it, and an underexercised one tends to become restless, vocal and hard to live with.
Can a Schiller Hound be trusted off-leash?
Not reliably. It is a scent-driven hound that will follow an interesting trail and tune you out. Use secure fencing and long-line training, and only allow off-leash freedom in genuinely safe, enclosed areas.
Is the Schiller Hound good with small pets?
Be careful. It has a strong prey drive toward small animals, so cats, rabbits and rodents can be at risk. It can sometimes learn to live with a cat raised alongside it, but never assume it is safe with small pets loose.