Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Gammel Dansk Hønsehund is a robust hunting breed for which few specific genetic tests exist due to its small population size. Nevertheless, buyers should look out for hip dysplasia (HD) and eyelid abnormalities such as entropion, as these issues can occur in this breed. In the absence of official mandatory health tests, the responsibility for ensuring healthy joints and eyes lies primarily with the careful selection of the breeder.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Height
50–60 cm
Weight
26–35 kg
Practical
Typical coat colors
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Old Danish Pointer, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →The Gammel Dansk Hønsehund is a calm, extremely cooperative, and robust Vorstehhund (pointing dog)—bred for slow, methodical hunting in confined spaces, where it always maintains close contact with its handler.
The real vibes check
The Gammel Dansk Hønsehund is not a hectic sports car, but rather the reliable tractor among hunting dogs. It works slowly, but with a thoroughness and a nose that misses absolutely nothing. If you share its passion for tracking, you will get a deeply relaxed companion who prefers to sleep on your feet after the work is done.
The Gammel Dansk Honsehund, also known as the Old Danish Pointer, is a medium-sized dog with a strong and well-proportioned build. Its head is broad and slightly domed with drooping ears and dark brown eyes that have an attentive and intelligent expression. Its body is compact with a deep chest and well-arched ribs, and its tail is of medium length and carried straight or slightly upward. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund belongs to FCI Group 7, the pointing dogs. Within the breed there is no distinction between performance and show lines; all dogs are equally suitable for work and exhibition. Its short, dense coat with an undercoat provides protection from the elements and requires minimal grooming.
The breed, as the name suggests, comes from Denmark and was originally used to hunt game birds. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an ancient breed that has existed since the 18th century. He was bred by Danish farmers who needed a reliable, versatile and hardy hunting dog. However, the breed was not officially recognized by the FCI until 1980. Although the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is still highly valued in Denmark, it is relatively unknown outside of its home country.
The Gammel Dansk Honsehund was bred for hunting and tracking wild birds.
Denmark
1700
The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an active and energetic dog with a strong hunting instinct. He is known for his perseverance and enthusiasm at work. Despite his passion for hunting, however, he is not a hyperactive dog and can adapt well to a quieter life as long as he gets enough physical and mental exercise. In terms of temperament, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is rather calm and balanced. He is very people-oriented and close to his family. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is loyal and tends to form a close bond with his human. He is very playful and enjoys activities with his family, but can also work independently and complete tasks on his own. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is generally a good guardian. He is alert and alert and will defend his family and territory if he feels they are threatened. However, despite his alertness, he is not an overly barking dog and tends to be quiet and reserved when not working. Like most hunting dogs, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund also has a strong prey and hunting instinct. It can therefore be a challenge if the family has smaller pets such as cats or rabbits. However, with careful introduction and training, this tendency can usually be managed well. In general, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an independent dog that can stay alone well. However, it is important that he gets used to it from an early age and that he always has enough activities to avoid boredom and associated behavioral problems.
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Despite its name, which translates to "old Danish chicken dog" means, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is not only known for hunting poultry, but was originally also used to hunt rabbits and foxes!
The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is a robust and enduring hunting dog, specially bred for work in Danish terrain. It is characterized by its high enthusiasm for work and pronounced sense of smell. These dogs are intelligent and eager to learn but require consistent leadership and sufficient activity. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is a loyal companion, well suited as a family dog if given enough exercise and mental challenges.
Although the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an active and energetic dog, he can also adapt well to city life under the right conditions. However, he needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, so a home with a secure garden or regular access to a park or similar open space is ideal. If he gets enough exercise, he is usually calm and balanced at home. The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is a loyal and family-oriented dog that generally gets along well with children. However, any interaction between dogs and small children should always be supervised by an adult to ensure the safety of both. When it comes to other pets, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund can get along well with them, provided he has been properly socialized from an early age. However, his hunting instinct may cause him to prey on smaller pets, so careful introduction and supervision is necessary when living with small animals.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
The Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an intelligent and alert dog that usually responds quite well to training. However, he is also an independent worker with a strong will, so a patient, consistent and positive approach to training is essential. Although originally bred as a hunting dog, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund can also enjoy a number of other activities and dog sports, such as: B. Agility, Obedience, Tracking and Rally-O. These activities can be a great way to challenge your body and mind and utilize your natural instincts and abilities in a controlled environment. It is important to note that the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is an active and work-oriented breed that requires plenty of activity and mental stimulation. Without sufficient exercise and activity, he can become bored and develop unwanted behaviors. However, it is also important to make sure that you do not “over-occupy” the dog. As with any breed, training and employment should be provided in appropriate amounts and in a manner that meets the dog's individual needs and abilities. It is also important for this breed that the dog learns frustration tolerance and impulse control. Training techniques such as "Stay" and "Wait" can be helpful here. Learning “rest times” in which the dog can relax and wind down is also essential.
A balanced and nutritious diet is essential for the health and well-being of the Gammel Dansk Honsehund. Since this is an active breed, he needs a diet rich in proteins and healthy fats to maintain his energy. Make sure you choose a high-quality dog food that provides all the necessary nutrients. The exact amount of food your dog needs depends on his size, age, weight and activity level. It is always advisable to follow the feeding recommendations on the food packaging and the advice of your veterinarian. Grooming the Gammel Dansk Honsehund is generally quite straightforward. Its short and smooth coat should be brushed regularly to remove dead hair and keep its skin healthy. This breed has a dense undercoat, which protects him from bad weather, but can also cause him to shed heavily, especially during the shedding periods in spring and autumn. Therefore, it may be helpful to brush more frequently during these times to minimize the amount of hair in your home. In Germany, the Gammel Dansk Honsehund copes well with the climate. Its thick fur protects it from cold and wet conditions, but can be a challenge in high temperatures. It is therefore important to provide sufficient shade and fresh water on hot days and to postpone physical activities to cooler times of the day.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Solid
The Gammel Dansk Hønsehund is a robust hunting breed for which few specific genetic tests exist due to its small population size. Nevertheless, buyers should look out for hip dysplasia (HD) and eyelid abnormalities such as entropion, as these issues can occur in this breed. In the absence of official mandatory health tests, the responsibility for ensuring healthy joints and eyes lies primarily with the careful selection of the breeder.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
By ensuring joint-friendly rearing, maintaining a healthy weight, and scheduling regular eye exams, you lay the best foundation for a long, active dog life.
Reputable breeders have the hips, elbows, and eyes of the parent animals tested and pay particularly strict attention to diverse bloodlines due to the small gene pool.
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Ich führe meinen Rüden jetzt seit einigen Jahren im Revier und bin absolut begeistert von seiner Arbeitsweise. Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Vorstehhunden sucht er sehr ruhig, gründlich und vor allem extrem nah bei mir unter der Flinte. Er hat überhaupt kein Bedürfnis, am Horizont zu verschwinden, sondern bleibt immer in engem Kontakt. Seine Nase ist phänomenal – er findet oft noch Wild, das schnellere Hunde einfach überlaufen haben.
Allerdings muss man wissen, dass er bei der Suche die Nase sehr tief am Boden hält, was bei Prüfungen von den Richtern nicht immer gerne gesehen wird. Auch die Wasserfreude war bei uns kein Selbstläufer. Wir mussten ihn von Welpenbeinen an sehr spielerisch und geduldig an das nasse Element gewöhnen, da er anfangs ziemlich wasserscheu war.
Zuhause ist er der angenehmste Begleiter, den man sich vorstellen kann. Er verhält sich fast wie ein ruhiger Labrador, ist unglaublich kinderlieb und absolut ausgeglichen, solange er seine tägliche Auslastung bekommt.
Wir haben uns für unseren Rüden entschieden, weil wir einen aktiven Hund für unser großes Grundstück gesucht haben, der gleichzeitig ein geduldiger Familienhund ist. Und genau das haben wir bekommen: Er ist unglaublich sanftmütig, liebt unsere Kinder und weicht uns kaum von der Seite. Seine Menschenbezogenheit ist wirklich extrem ausgeprägt.
Man darf die Rasse aber keinesfalls unterschätzen. Er braucht viel Bewegung und vor allem geistige Beschäftigung wie Dummyarbeit oder Fährtensuche, um ausgelastet zu sein. Zudem ist er sehr sensibel. Eine harte Hand verträgt er in der Erziehung überhaupt nicht – man erreicht bei ihm alles nur über positive Verstärkung, Motivation und viel Geduld.
Ein kleiner, aber sehr präsenter Nachteil im Alltag: Seine kurzen, weißen Haare verhalten sich wie kleine Nadeln. Sie bohren sich in jede Couch und jeden Teppich und lassen sich nur schwer wieder entfernen. Wer hier pingelig ist, muss sich auf tägliches Bürsten einstellen.
Ich habe meine Hündin mit dem Ziel angeschafft, sie jagdlich und eventuell für die Schweißarbeit auszubilden. Ihre Nase ist zwar hervorragend, aber ich musste feststellen, dass ihr im Vergleich zu spezialisierten Rassen manchmal die nötige Härte und der unbedingte Finderwille auf der Fährte fehlen. Es war ein hartes Stück Arbeit, sie überhaupt für das Fährtenlesen zu begeistern, da sie anfangs kaum Trieb dafür zeigte.
Auch die Raubwildschärfe ist bei ihr kaum vorhanden. Sie zeigt gegenüber Füchsen oder Katzen kaum Aggressivität, was sie als reinen Gebrauchshund für manche rauen Reviere ungeeignet macht. Sie ist eben ein sehr milder, weicher Hund.
Wer jedoch einen extrem treuen, ruhigen Jagdbegleiter sucht, der sich im Haus völlig unauffällig verhält, nicht kläfft und eine extrem enge Bindung zu seinem Führer aufbaut, für den ist diese Rasse ein Traum. Man muss sich nur auf ihr sanftes Wesen einstellen.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Old Danish Pointer.
The Old Danish Pointer is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Old Danish Pointer is 10-12 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Old Danish Pointer grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Old Danish Pointer can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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