Overview
The Colombian Fino Hound, or Sabueso Fino Colombiano, developed from hounds brought by the Spanish and shaped by local hunting of deer, agouti and other game in mountainous country. It is a medium-sized, short-coated dog with a long muzzle, drop ears and a sturdy, athletic frame.
Little is written about the breed in English and it is effectively absent from Britain, so treat it as a generic hunting scenthound and let the owner guide you. Expect a friendly, resilient dog with a strong nose, a loud voice and more stamina than a walk around the block can use up.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day of real walking suits a hunting hound of this type. Vary the terrain and the routes, and allow time for working scent rather than treating sniffing as a delay.
Mental tiredness counts as well. Scatter feeding or a find-it game at the end of a walk settles a hound more than a few extra minutes of road.
On the walk
- Scent: Head down and gone is the pattern for any scenthound. Keep the lead on in open country and reserve free running for fully fenced ground.
- Voice: Expect baying when excited or on a trail. Plan quiet routes if you walk early in the morning.
- Other dogs: Pack-bred hounds usually get on with other dogs and enjoy company on a walk.
- Pulling: A persistent lean towards whatever smells best. A harness with a front attachment makes the walk easier on your arm.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a long line and use it in open spaces until you have seen a real recall away from scent.
- Reward every voluntary look back at you; attention is the behaviour to build with a hound.
- Check the ears and between the toes after walks through long grass and cover.
What to ask the owner
- Where did the dog come from and how much of its life has it spent hunting rather than as a pet?
- Has it ever been reliably recalled off a scent, and with what cue?
- How does it react to livestock, deer and cats?