Hygenhund

The Hygenhund is a scent hound that was developed during the beginning of the 19^th century. He is a popular Norwegian breed used to hunt small game, especially fox and hare. He is also extensively used to hunt raccoon and rabbit. The Hygenhund was developed by a devoted scent hound breeder named Mr. Hygen. Once the breed was introduced, it was given the name Hygenhund. Mr. Hygen wanted a breed that had excellent stamina for the hunt and the ability to traverse harsh, arctic terrain for long distances. Thus, various hounds from Norway, Germany and England were cross bred with other hunting dogs. Documentation shows that the Hygenhund has an interesting mix of Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, Beagles, Holsteiner Hounds, Scandinavian Hounds and English Pointers in his ancestry. The Hygenhund became very popular and the favored hunting dog for many people in Norway. However, his popularity began to dwindle in the 20^th century. The Hygenhund is not very well known outside of Norway and in recent years he has seen a decline in popularity. He is a hard working scent hound and a great family companion; however, his propensity for being possessive of his property has given him a bit of a bad rap. Breeders in Norway are diligently working towards rebuilding the breed’s reputation and are adhering to strict breeding practices. This allows them to work on the inherent temperament of the breed to produce puppies that may not be as naturally possessive as their predecessors. The Hygenhund is recognized by the Norwegian Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.