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Discover everything about Schillerstövare
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Schillerstövare?
At a glance
Schillerstövare overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Schillerstövare is considered a very robust Swedish hunting breed, though there are no official mandatory health tests in place. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should look for screening regarding hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as these conditions can occur in scent hounds of this size. Given the small population size, it is also advisable to inquire about the risk of epilepsy and the level of inbreeding before purchasing.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Height
49–61 cm
Weight
18–25 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, dense, without undercoat
- Origin: Sweden
Typical coat colors
- Black
- brown mixed
- hard
- dense
- wiry
- medium length
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Schillerstövare, 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 →Is the Schillerstövare right for you?
The Schillerstövare is a lightning-fast, tireless scent hound—bred for hours of independent tracking of hares and foxes in the vast Swedish forests. At home, he is a gentle soul; outdoors, he is a highly specialized athlete who lives for the trail.
Perfect for you if:
- You incorporate intensive scent work like mantrailing or tracking into your daily routine—simple walks are not enough to satisfy this highly specialized seeker.
- You live in a rural area and have access to secure off-leash areas or a very large, escape-proof garden.
- You have a clear but patient leadership style and accept that his hunting independence is not the same as stubbornness.
- You are looking for an athletic companion for long-distance endurance activities like cycling or jogging.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to walk by your side off-leash in the woods at all times—he was bred to follow a trail for kilometers, completely on his own.
- You live in the middle of the city and can only offer him quick laps through a busy park.
- You want to keep him as a casual 'sidekick' dog that fits seamlessly into a full-time urban office routine without complaint.
The real vibes check
On the living room sofa, the Schillerstövare is as unobtrusive and gentle as a shadow—but in the woods, an invisible switch flips. You aren't getting a dog that gazes at you adoringly during a walk, but a professional tracker on duty. If you channel this hunting passion in the right direction, you will have a deeply relaxed partner; if you ignore it, you will have a chronically frustrated escape artist.
Breed Profile
The Schiller Hound is a medium-sized, elegant yet robust Swedish scent hound breed, especially valued for its excellent hunting abilities. It belongs to the group of scent hounds and was originally bred for tracking and pursuing game. The appearance of the Schiller Hound is characterized by a slender, muscular body, a distinctive head with expressive, almond-shaped eyes, and hanging ears. Its coat is short to medium length, dense, and weather-resistant, usually in a characteristic black-white-red pattern that gives it a distinctive look. The Schiller Hound is a lively, enduring, and intelligent dog that requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Despite its hunting background, it is a loyal and affectionate companion that integrates well into families when properly exercised. Within the breed, there are no distinct lines like those of the Labrador or German Shepherd, but great importance is placed on health, enthusiasm for work, and typical appearance.
- Height
- 49 - 57 cm (Female), 53 - 61 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 18 - 24 kg (Female), 18 - 25 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 years
- Character
- Loyal, intelligent, alert, high prey drive
- Coat
- Short, dense, without undercoat
- Coat Color
- Black and brown mixed; hard, dense, wiry, medium length
- Price
- 1500 - 2500 €
History
The history of the Schillerstövare began in the late 19th century in Sweden and is closely linked to the breeder Per Schiller. At the first Swedish dog show in 1886, he presented the siblings Tamburini and Ralla I, who are considered the foundation stock of the modern breed. These dogs were likely descended from South German, Swiss, and Austrian scenthounds crossed with British breeds to create a light, fast, and enduring hunting dog. The original and still current purpose of the Schillerstövare is exclusively the hunting of hares and foxes. Unlike many continental European scenthounds, it works as a solitary hunter and was explicitly selected not to hunt ungulates such as deer or stags. This specialization made it an indispensable companion for Swedish hunters in the vast and often snow-covered forests of Scandinavia. In 1907, the Schillerstövare was officially recognized as an independent breed by the Swedish Kennel Club. To this day, it is bred almost exclusively as a working dog for hunting and is rarely encountered outside its home country. Its breeding history reflects the high demands placed on a robust, reliable, and vocal scenthound.
Original Use
The Schillerstövare was bred for hunting foxes and hares and is characterized by its speed and endurance.
Origin
Sweden
Date
1886
Character & Temperament
The Schiller Hound is a lively and intelligent hunting dog with a strong willingness to work. It is characterized by its high endurance and strong sense of smell, making it an excellent companion for hunting. Despite its independent nature, it is very people-oriented and forms a close bond with its family. The Schiller Hound requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to remain balanced. It loves to complete tasks and shows remarkable willingness to learn. Due to its hunting drive, consistent training and early education are important to control unwanted hunting behavior. In dealing with people, the Schiller Hound is friendly and open, but can be reserved with strangers. It is not a typical guard dog but shows watchful behavior when needed. Overall, the Schiller Hound is an active, loyal, and hardworking dog that is best suited to an active household with plenty of exercise and engagement.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Schillerstövare: The Schillerstövare is a Swedish pointing dog that impresses not only with its striking, speckled coat but is also known for its endurance and strong hunting instinct – perfect for tracking in the Nordic forests!
What Awaits You
The Schiller Hound is a lively and intelligent hunting dog from Sweden. It is characterized by its endurance and pronounced sense of smell. These dogs are friendly and affectionate but require a lot of exercise and consistent leadership. The Schiller Hound is well suited for active families and hunting tasks.
Housing & Care
Schillerstövare are lively and intelligent dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They are especially suitable for active people or families who spend a lot of time outdoors and can involve the dog in various activities. Due to their strong hunting drive, they are less suitable for apartment living and need plenty of space to run, ideally in rural or suburban areas. With children, Schillerstövare are usually friendly and patient but should be well trained and supervised because of their temperament and energy. They can live well with other dogs and pets if socialized early. Overall, Schillerstövare are loyal and hardworking companions who need consistent but loving leadership.
- Family Friendly
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Family-oriented - Child Friendly
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Patient with children - Dog Friendly
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Generally tolerant - City Friendly
Suffers in tight urban conditions.
Needs the countryside
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.!
Training & Education
The Schillerstövare is an intelligent and eager hunting dog that requires consistent and varied training. Similar to the Labrador and German Shepherd, it is important to specifically promote its natural hunting instinct and high willingness to learn without overwhelming it. The Schillerstövare loves to be challenged, especially with search and retrieve tasks that correspond to its origin as a versatile hunting dog. Training should always be positive and reward-based to build a trusting bond. Frustration tolerance and impulse control are important aspects of training, as the Schillerstövare can otherwise become impatient or restless. Early socialization and regular mental as well as physical exercise help to avoid undesirable behaviors. In addition to hunting tasks, the Schillerstövare is also suitable for dog sports such as obedience or mantrailing. Those who are willing to invest time and commitment in training will gain a loyal, versatile, and balanced companion.
Nutrition & Care
Schillerstövare: The Schillerstövare is an active and intelligent hunting dog that requires a balanced diet to maintain its energy and health. High-quality, protein-rich food containing all essential nutrients is ideal. Make sure to adjust the amount of food according to your dog's activity level to avoid overweight. The coat of the Schillerstövare is short to medium length with dense undercoat that protects it well from the cold. It sheds moderately, especially during the coat change in spring and autumn. Regular brushing, about once a week, helps keep the coat clean and healthy and removes loose hair. The Schillerstövare adapts well to the Central European climate. Its coat protects it from the cold, but in extreme heat, sufficient shade and water should be provided to prevent overheating.
| Care Level Occasional brushing is all it takes. | Very low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
A
Robust
Health grade
The Schillerstövare is considered a very robust Swedish hunting breed, though there are no official mandatory health tests in place. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should look for screening regarding hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as these conditions can occur in scent hounds of this size. Given the small population size, it is also advisable to inquire about the risk of epilepsy and the level of inbreeding before purchasing.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on joint-friendly rearing, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular eye check-ups to ensure your dog remains active and resilient for a long time.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the hips and eyes of the parent animals strictly examined and pay attention to diverse bloodlines to reduce the risks of inbreeding.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
What owners say about the Schillerstövare
Sven L., Jäger aus Schleswig-Holstein (Hündin, seit 2021)
Wir führen unsere Schillerstövare-Hündin jetzt seit knapp drei Jahren hauptsächlich zur Jagd auf Fuchs und Hase. Sie ist im Wald unglaublich passioniert, schnell und zeigt eine hervorragende Fährtenarbeit. Ihr sehniger, athletischer Körperbau ist extrem ausdauernd – es ist eine wahre Freude, ihr bei der Arbeit zuzusehen.
Die größte Herausforderung bei ihr ist allerdings die sogenannte Rehreinhaltung. Wenn sie einmal eine frische Rehspur in die Nase bekommt, vergisst sie alles um sich herum. In waldreichen Gebieten mit viel Schalenwild ist das extrem anstrengend, weil sie dann stundenlang jagen kann und sich kaum abrufen lässt.
Trotz des enormen Jagdtriebs ist sie zu Hause die sanfteste und anhänglichste Hündin, die man sich vorstellen kann. Sie ist absolut sozial, verträgt sich gut mit anderen Hunden und liebt die Familie. Man darf nur ihren Freiheitsdrang und die nötige Konsequenz bei der Erziehung nicht unterschätzen.
Melanie B., aktive Halterin aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2022)
Als sehr aktive, sportliche Familie haben wir uns für einen Schillerstövare entschieden, obwohl wir keine Jäger sind. Uns war klar, dass diese schwedische Laufhundrasse viel Bewegung braucht, aber das Ausmaß hat uns anfangs doch überrascht. Ein normaler Spaziergang reicht ihm absolut nicht – er braucht tägliche weite Runden, Kopfarbeit und am besten einen großen, sicher eingezäunten Garten zum Toben.
Sein Jagdtrieb ist extrem ausgeprägt. Ein Ableinen im Wald oder auf freien Feldern ist bei uns schlichtweg unmöglich, da er sofort jeder Fährte nachgehen würde. Wir arbeiten viel mit der Schleppleine und lasten ihn geistig mit Suchspielen aus. Wer sich diesen Hund holt, muss sich darauf einstellen, dass Freilauf ohne Leine ein rares Gut sein wird.
Auf der positiven Seite ist er ein unglaublich treuer, intelligenter und robuster Begleiter. Er kränkelt nie, sein kurzes Fell ist extrem pflegeleicht und er ist im Haus ein absolut liebevoller, ausgeglichener Hund, der fantastisch mit Kindern harmoniert. Für sportliche Menschen im ländlichen Raum ein Traum, für die Stadt aber absolut ungeeignet.
Jonas M., Halter und Jäger aus Bayern (Rüde, seit 2023)
Mein junger Schillerstövare-Rüde bringt mich jagdlich aktuell an meine Grenzen. Er ist jetzt knapp über ein Jahr alt und zeigt eine enorme Selbstständigkeit und Sturheit. Wenn er einmal im Jagdmodus ist, schaltet er komplett auf Durchzug. Letztens hat er erst nach fast zehn Stunden erschöpft den Weg nach Hause gefunden, weil er sich im Wald völlig in eine Fährte verbissen hatte und einfach nicht zurückkommen wollte.
Das Kuriose ist: Im Alltag und zu Hause funktioniert die Erziehung und der Grundgehorsam tadellos. Er kommt auf Pfiff sofort zurück, ist extrem sensibel und reagiert schon auf leises Ansprechen. Sobald wir aber im Revier sind, verfliegt diese Kooperationsbereitschaft und sein eigenwilliger Charakter kommt voll durch.
Man braucht wirklich Nerven aus Stahl und viel Erfahrung mit sturen Bracken, um diese Rasse zu führen. Dennoch bereue ich die Entscheidung nicht. Er ist charakterlich ein herzensguter, absolut ehrlicher Hund ohne jede Aggression – man muss nur lernen, mit diesem extremen, ursprünglichen Jagdfokus umzugehen.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
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Frequently asked questions about the Schillerstövare
Is a Schillerstövare the right dog for me?
The Schillerstövare is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Schillerstövare live?
The average life expectancy of a Schillerstövare is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Schillerstövare need?
Schillerstövare grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Schillerstövare good for families with children?
The Schillerstövare can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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