Page 176 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

CATALOG OF BREEDS | SCENT HOUNDS

Niederlaufhund

HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN
13–17in 18–33lb 12–13 years
(33–43cm) (8–15kg) LUCERNE

This highly vocal Swiss hound is an excellent hunting
THE ROUGH-COATED
BERNESE dog and a good family pet, when given sufficient exercise

In downsizing Laufhunds to Niederlaufhunds, This smaller, shorter-legged version of coat color, similar to those of their larger
breeders of the Schwyzer, Lucerne, and Jura the Laufhund (see p.173) was developed counterparts. The Bernese Niederlaufhund
varieties produced an identical but smaller
in the early 20th century. It was bred for comes in a smooth-haired version and a
scent hound with the same smooth
coat as the original dogs. The use in shooting, specifically to make the rarer rough-coated version with a small
same careful planning went most of the Swiss cantons’ high-mountain beard. The Schwyzer, Jura, and Lucerne
into producing the Bernese game reserves—the larger Laufhund was are all smooth-haired.
Niederlaufhund, but it thought to move too fast in these enclosed The Niederlaufhund is still primarily
resulted in about one in 20 areas. Being slower, the Niederlaufhund used as a working dog but also makes an
to 40 puppies being born can track big game more effectively than its excellent family pet, since it has a friendly
with a rough coat. There
appears to be no clear larger cousin. This short-barreled, stocky nature and is good with children. The
explanation for the origin version has a great nose for game such as breed needs firm but positive obedience
of this coat type and it wild boar, badger, and bear. training, as well as the opportunity to
remains rare. The dog is, in The Niederlaufhund occurs in four express its strong drive for finding and
all other respects, the varieties, each developed from one of the tracking scents. It is best suited to a rural
same as the smooth-
Laufhund varieties: Bernese, Schwyzer, home where it can be offered plenty of
coated Bernese
Niederlaufhund. Jura, and Lucerne. Each has a distinctive exercise and mental stimulation.

Tan markings
over eyes

Friendly, alert
Long, facial expression
pendant ears White blaze
extends on to
Long tail carried White with sides of muzzle
down when active black patches

BERNESE,
SMOOTH-HAIRED SCHWYZER
White with
orange patches

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