Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Unlike English Foxhounds who tend to hunt in packs, Hamiltonstovare dogs were developed to hunt either singly or in pairs. Although typically friendly with most people and with other dogs, they also tend to be a bit excitable and can sometimes be a little too enthusiastic about making friends. Proper socialization with both people and other dogs can help to curb this tendency and encourage your dog to develop a little more confidence and restraint in social situations. While socialization is best achieved when the dog is between three weeks and four months of age, with a little patience older dogs can often be socialized as well.
The average dog has around a hundred million olfactory receptors in their noses, as opposed to just the six million or so that are found in the human nasal passages. This gives them a much more defined sense of smell and is even more pronounced in hound dogs like the Hamiltonstovare, with some hound dogs having up to three hundred million olfactory receptors. Teaching your dog to discriminate and follow specific scents can not only help to provide your dog with mental stimulation and an outlet for their energy, but dogs with these skills may also be able to be employed as hunting companions or search and rescue dogs as well.
Hamiltonstovare dogs are typically utilized to hunt land game like rabbit and fox, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t enjoy the water. While they are not generally as eager to jump in the water as your average water spaniel or retriever breed, an upbeat but gentle introduction to the water is likely to be well received, making this a fun activity for your canine companion. Swimming is a great way in which to increase both muscle tone and cardiovascular health and burn fat, without putting strain on the joints, a bonus for dogs like the Hamiltonstovare that are somewhat prone to obesity and hip and elbow dysplasia.