Smalandsstovare

The Smålandsstövare has a storied past dating back to the 1600s when hounds similar to present day Smålandsstövares were bred to European hounds from Poland, Germany and Baltic regions. These European hounds were brought in to Småland, Sweden after the Great Wars between 1611 and 1718. The resulting dogs from these breedings were then bred to local spitz-type farm dogs to create the foundation stock for the Smålandsstövare. The Smålandsstövare was used to mainly hunt hare and fox but he was also used to hunt other small game. Since the breed was developed mostly by farmers who did not have large kennels full of hunting dogs, the Smålandsstövare needed to be able to hunt alone rather than in a pack. He developed into an all around hunting dog. The breed became virtually extinct in the 20^th century but breed enthusiasts fought to restore the breed and his first official standard was adopted by the Swedish Kennel Club in 1921. The number of purebred Smålandsstövares still remained small so breeders began adding dogs of similar appearance and stature in the 1950s. These similar dogs were of unknown ancestry and did strengthen the bloodline and the overall appearance of the Smålandsstövare. The Swedish breed club for the Smålandsstövare began commissioning genetic testing on a large sample between 1994 and 2008. The findings showed no specific genetic health issues that were unique to the breed and deemed this breed to be very healthy. The Smålandsstövare is a still a rare breed but he is recognized by the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA), Continental Kennel Club (CKC), Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and the United Kennel Club (UKC). The UKC recognized the Smålandsstövare in 2006 as the Smaland Hound.