HYGENHUND DOG

Hygen Hound, Hygen Dog 

The Hygenhund is a Norwegian scent hound used to hunt fox and hare. He is also an affectionate family companion. The Hygenhund is popular in his native country but virtually unknown anywhere else in the world. He is loyal and loving towards those he lives with, but is very suspicious of any strangers. He can become aggressive towards strangers who approach him or try to pet him. Expect him to be somewhat possessive towards his toys and food dish; training is important to ensure that this possessiveness is checked early and he does not become aggressive towards the family. Early socialization is also a must for the Hygenhund.

Hygenhund Breed History 

The Hygenhund is a scent hound that was developed during the beginning of the 19th 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 20th 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.

 Hygenhund Breed Appearance 

The Hygenhund is a medium sized scent hound that is compact and solidly built. He has wide ears that hang and frame his face. His head is triangular and his skull is broad. The Hygenhund is well muscled and should never give the appearance of being bulky. He must look balanced and have a smooth, reaching motion when moving. His tail is carried high and in line with his spine. His tail should never curl over his back. Nose is wide with open nostrils and is black in color. His eyes are dark brown, light color eyes or haws are faulted. His expression should be earnest and calm. The Hygenhund has a straight coat that is rough to the touch. His coat is shiny and dense. He can be found in several colors including brown, red and yellow with black shadings, white markings or tan markings. The different colors of the Hygenhund should be clearly defined and never muted.

Hygenhund Breed Maintenance

 The Hygenhund is relatively easy to groom but he does require frequent brushing since he has a denser coat than most scent hounds. Expect to brush him at least once a week to keep shedding to a minimum. When brushing, use a soft slicker brush or a hound mitt. To ensure his coat remains shiny, you may want to use a soft bristle brush as a finisher brush.  He is a seasonal shedder so when his shedding intensifies, you should plan on brushing him once a day. Since he does shed, expect hairs to collect on your furniture, clothing and floors. The Hygenhund does not have a strong smell and does not need a bath often. Bathing him too often can cause dry or flaky skin, therefore only use a mild shampoo when he does need a bath. Clean his ears weekly so they stay dry and infection free. Set up a dental regiment to ensure his teeth and gums stay healthy. His nails will need to be trimmed every few weeks. 

Hygenhund Temperament 

The Hygenhund is a lively, happy and very energetic breed. He lives to stay busy and will find things to do if you do not give him a job to perform each day. He is affectionate and devoted to his family; however, he can be very possessive of his food, family and toys. Training is necessary to ensure he does not become aggressive. The Hygenhund does not like strangers and will be wary of anyone who comes around his home or family members. Early socialization will help keep him from becoming shy or aggressive towards strangers. He does not like strangers approaching him or trying to pet him. He does need an owner familiar with the breed and able to handle his quirks. First time dog owners should not consider the Hygenhund. People who are not able to take a leadership role with their dog should also not consider this dog. 

 Hygenhund Activity Requirements 

The Hygenhund has a lot of stamina and is able to run for long periods of time without tiring. He has to have plenty of opportunity to run and expend energy or he will drive you crazy. The Hygenhund needs a lot of attention and if left alone for too long he will make his own fun and could easily become destructive or overly vocal. Spend time taking him for long walks, participating in dog sports or playing games in the back yard. Since he is a scent hound, he does require a fenced yard when left alone outside or he needs a sturdy leash when he is out on a walk to keep him from picking up the scent of some unsuspecting animal.