Overview
The Schillerstövare was developed in Sweden in the late nineteenth century by Per Schiller, aiming for a quick, hardy hound that could hunt alone in deep snow and bay on the trail. It is lighter and faster than most scenthounds, with a short black and tan coat and a lean, athletic frame.
Virtually unknown in Britain, it should be approached as you would any driving hound: built for stamina, trail-focused and vocal when the nose is working. Away from hunting it is affectionate and even-tempered.
Exercise and walking needs
Ninety minutes a day is a reasonable baseline and a working-bred dog will use more. The best outlet is a long line through open country where the hound can follow scent at a trot. Flat road walking will leave it restless.
Bred for Swedish winters, it is comfortable in cold and snow and less so in summer heat.
On the walk
- Scent: When a line is found the dog will drive it hard and tell you about it. A long line on a harness is the realistic compromise between freedom and losing the dog.
- Voice: Baying on the trail is bred in. Choose rural routes and warn the owner if a particular area triggers a lot of noise.
- Other dogs: Generally friendly, though the breed hunts solo rather than in a pack and may ignore other dogs rather than play.
- Pulling: Steady pressure on a line once the nose is down. A padded harness and a strong lead handle keep you comfortable.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a long line rather than trusting recall around wildlife.
- Reward every glance back with food to build a habit of checking in.
- Keep summer walks early and short; this is a cold-weather dog.
- Check the feet after running through rough ground or stubble fields.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog hunted, and how far has it gone when following a scent?
- How much noise does it make on a walk, and is there a cue the owner uses?
- Is there any secure field where it can run free, and does it come back?