Hound breed Medium size 15-18 kg

Smaland Hound

A compact Swedish scenthound that is calm and even-tempered at home yet driven in the field - a healthy, uncomplicated hunting companion.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
15-18 kg · 42-54 cm
High
Exercise needs
Needs a good daily run or hunt
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Settles well once exercised
Moderate
Training
Cooperative for a scenthound
Low
Coat care
Short dense coat, easy to keep
Conditional
Fit with kids
Even-tempered with children
Good
Other pets
Sociable with dogs; follows its nose
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, ear infections, dental

The Smaland Hound typically weighs 15-18 kg, stands 42-54 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt or want an active dog for daily outdoor life,
you can offer long walks, runs, or tracking work every day,
you have a securely fenced yard or rural space,
you want a healthy, uncomplicated, even-tempered hound.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a couch dog happy with a short walk,
you have no secure fencing - a scent trail overrides recall,
you cannot tolerate a hound's baying and vocal habits,
the dog would be left alone for long workdays regularly.

A typical day with a Smaland Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk, run, or a tracking session
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after exercise, a chew or a nap
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short sniffy walk to work the nose
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Play or basic training, 15 minutes
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second longer walk or off-leash in a safe area
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Calm and quiet once its needs are met

Temperament and training

Trainability Moderate
Prey drive High
Sociability High
Independence High
Vocality High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Trusting off-leash recall when a scent trail appears · Under-exercising a working hound and expecting calm indoors · Being surprised by the loud, carrying voice in a suburban setting

Family and environment

Kids Good
Even-tempered and patient with respectful children.
Dogs Good
Pack hound, generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive is strong; safest raised together.
Apartment Poor fit
Vocal and active; hard on close neighbors.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs secure, high fencing to hold a scenthound.
City Conditional
Manages with committed daily exercise.
Countryside Ideal
Space and scent work suit it perfectly.
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 profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock; signs often from 1-2 years
Chronic ear infections Drop ears need regular checking and cleaning
Dental disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Obesity Weight creeps up without portion control

Similar breeds - by reason

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

Fellow Swedish scenthound, larger
Hamilton Hound
An elegant, good-natured Swedish scenthound - affectionate and fairly trainable, but a strong nose and high stamina still demand real exercise.
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Another Swedish hunting hound
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.
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Compact Swedish hound alternative
Drever
A short-legged Swedish scenthound bred to track - friendly and even-tempered, but a determined nose that needs secure walking.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

Is the Smaland Hound good with children?
Yes, it is generally even-tempered and patient with respectful children, and it is not a guarding or reactive breed. As with any active hound, supervise young kids and teach them not to bother the dog while it rests or eats.
Can it be trusted off-leash?
Not reliably. This is a scenthound bred to follow a trail, and a strong scent will override even good training. Keep it leashed near roads and use secure fencing at home; off-leash freedom is only for large, safely enclosed areas.
How rare is the Smaland Hound and what does one cost?
It is one of the rarest Swedish hounds and is very uncommon outside Scandinavia, so a US buyer should expect waitlists or an import with added shipping and paperwork costs. Pups themselves often run roughly $1,000-$2,000 where available, but availability, not price, is the real hurdle. Across a 12-15 year life, food and routine care typically add $12,000-$20,000 or more.
Does it bark a lot?
It has a loud, carrying hound voice and will use it, especially on a scent or when bored. That makes it a poor fit for apartments or homes with close neighbors, and a reason to keep it well exercised.