|
About the HamiltonStovare
About 100 years ago, Count A,P. Hamilton created the breed that carries his name. The Count was the founder of the Swedish Kennel Club and a connoisseur of hounds. His dog and bitch, "Pang" and "Stella," were basically of English Foxhound and/or Harrier breeding. Hamilton imported German hounds, like those of Hanover, Holstein and Curlandia, to cross with his British-bred dogs. From these hybrids came the Hamiltonstovare. Today it is a favored hunting dog in Sweden. Since 1968, a few have been imported into Britain, where they are slowly gaining a pawhold.
The Hamilton is usually hunted singly, however they have been known to hunt in pairs - they are however, NOT "pack" animals and do not hunt as such. He accompanies the hunting party into the vast Swedish pine forests, where he finds and flushes game back towards the guns, baying to indicate his whereabouts. Also adapted to snow cover, he is robust enough to trail large game. His temperament is sweet and gentle, and he fits well into family life. However, the hunting instincts are strong and the need for activity is great. Those two factors must be kept in mind by prospective owners. Large space is necessary for long walks. Owners warn that, even when well trained, these dogs should be kept on leash in areas with game, as hunting instincts may override training. Once off on a scent, they will hunt for hours before returning to their original starting point, working up a hearty appetite - they have been described as real "chow hounds." Where enough physical activity is provided, these hounds are happy, bouncy and extroverted pals which relate well to people and other animals. They thrive in a family environment and crave companionship, preferring the fireside to an outside kennel.
With this sort of background it goes without saying that they can take as much exercise as you would ever be able to provide. Having said this, they can and do settle well into urban environments. Human companionship is the most important thing in their life. They are very intelligent and so are quite easy to train as long as you have that 'one on one' relationship with them. They are bred to hunt and so they are inclined to wander if not under supervision, so a fenced garden is essential (as with any dog). They are an excellent dog to bring children up with, as they as full of fun, while still being very patient. They become very devoted to their family and will defend them if they need to, but they lack the aggression to be considered as a guard dog. As far as size goes they can be classed as 'small large' or 'large medium' (averaging about 55cm at the shoulder).
Their coat consists of two layers. Undercoat short, close and soft, especially thick during winter. Upper coat strongly weather-resistant lying close to body. On underside of tail, ordinary hair quite long but not forming a fringe. Ample hair between pads.
Their color should be Upper side of neck, back, sides of trunk and upper side of tail black. Head and legs, as well as side of neck, trunk and tail brown. Blaze on upper part of muzzle, underside of neck, breast and tip of tail, together with feet, white. A mixture of black and brown undesirable, as is any preponderance of any of the three permissible colours. Tricolor; Golden Tan With Black Neck And Back; White On Muzzle, Breast, Feet, And Tail Tip.
His temperament is sweet and gentle, and he fits well into family life. However, the hunting instincts are strong and the need for activity is great. Those two factors must be kept in mind by prospective owners. Large space is necessary for long walks. Owners warn that, even when well trained, these dogs should be kept on leash in areas with game, as hunting instincts may override training. Once off on a scent, they will hunt for hours before returning to their original starting point, working up a hearty appetite. Owners describe them as real "chow hounds." But if enough physical activity is provided, these hounds are happy, bouncy and extroverted pals which relate well to people and other animals.
They are a very straight-forward breed. They do not suffer from the hereditary faults of many breeds and a re usually very healthy. They have no physical exaggerations in their build, and usually live to be around 13 years of age.
The Hamiltonstovare is popular enough in Sweden to be a part of the nation's folklore. A small elf, Tomten, is said to help Swedish home-makers in the house. He is accompanied by a Hamilton called "Karo."
Breed Standard
|
General Appearance:
|
Well proportioned, giving impression of great strength and stamina.
|
|
Characteristics:
|
Handsome, upstanding dog of striking colouring. Hardy and sound.
|
|
Temperament:
|
Typical even tempered hound.
|
|
Head And Skull:
|
Head longish, rectangular, with slightly arched and moderately broad skull. Occiput not too prominent. Stop well defined but not over pronounced. Jowls not too heavy. Muzzle fairly long, large and rectangular. Bridge of nose straight and parallel to line of skull. Nose always black, well developed with large nostrils. Upper lips full but not too overhanging.
|
|
Eyes:
|
Clear and dark brown with tranquil expression.
|
|
Ears:
|
Set fairly high, when drawn alongside jaw, ears extend to approximately half-way along muzzle and should be raised only slightly above skull when responding to call. Soft with straight fall and fore edge not folded out.
|
|
Mouth:
|
Jaws strong, with perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
|
|
Neck:
|
Long and powerful, merging well into shoulders, skin on neck supple and close fitting.
|
|
Forequarters:
|
Shoulders muscular and well laid back. When viewed from front forelegs appear straight and parallel. Upper foreleg long and broad and set at a right angle to shoulder blade. Elbows set close in to body.
BODY - Back straight and powerful. Croup slightly inclined, long, broad with well defined muscles. Chest deep. Ribs moderately sprung, back ribs proportionately long. Belly slightly tucked-up.
|
|
Body:
|
Back straight and powerful. Strong, broad, muscular loin. Croup slightly inclined. Chest deep, ribs moderately sprung, back ribs proportionately long. Belly slightly tucked up.
|
|
Hindquarters:
|
Strong and parallel when viewed from behind. Well angulated, muscle well developed and broad when seen from side.
|
|
Feet:
|
Short and hard. Pads firm and pointing straight forward. Dew claws only allowed on front legs.
|
|
Tail:
|
Set on low, in an almost straight continuation of line of back. In length reaches the hock. Fairly wide at base and narrowing off towards tip. Held in a straight position or curving slightly in sabre like shape. Not carried above the backline when moving.
|
|
Gait/Movement:
|
Free striding and long reaching. Hind legs showing drive. Not moving close behind.
|
|
Coat:
|
Coat consists of two layers. Undercoat short, close and soft, especially thick during winter. Upper coat strongly weather resistant lying close to body. On underside of tail, ordinary hair quite long but not forming a fringe. Ample hair between pads.
|
|
Colour:
|
Upper side of neck, back, sides of trunk and upper side of tail black. Head and legs, as well as side of neck, trunk and tail brown. White markings as follows; blaze on upper part of muzzle, underside of neck, breast and tip of tail, lower legs and feet. A mixture of black and brown undesirable, as is a preponderance of any of the three permissible colours.
|
|
Sizes:
|
Dogs 53-61 cm (21-24 ins). Ideal size 57 cms (22½ ins)
Bitches 49-57 cm (19 1/4-22½ins). Ideal size 53 cm (21 ins)
|
|
Faults:
|
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
|
|
Notes:
|
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
|
|
