Small Swiss Hound

Scenthound Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

At the turn of the century, the system of hunting in enclosed hunting grounds was introduced to Switzerland. The larger, popular Swiss Hounds were too fast for this sort of hunting, so it was decided to replace them with smaller, shorter legged scenthounds. The new, smaller breed was developed through controlled and selective breeding. They are low on leg and come in attractive colors that are similar to the medium sized Swiss Hounds.

The Small Swiss Hound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2006.

General Appearance

Smaller and much more rectangular in proportion than the Swiss Hound, the Small Swiss Hound has a noble head and a friendly, alert expression.

Characteristics

Untiring and keen with a sensitive nose. Friendly, calm to lively.

Head

The head is rather long and slender, gradually widening towards the eyes.

SKULL

The skull is lightly arched and free of wrinkle or furrow. The stop is moderately developed.

MUZZLE

The muzzle is strong, fairly long, and never pointed. The nasal bridge is straight or slightly convex, and lies in a plane that is parallel to the line of the skull. The cheeks are only slightly developed. The upper lips are moderately overlapping.

TEETH

The Small Swiss Hound has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite. The absence of up to two small premolars is tolerated.

Disqualifications: Undershot, overshot or wry mouth. Absence of incisors or canines. Absence of more than three premolars or molars.

NOSE

The dark colored nose has wide opened nostrils.

Disqualification: Nose pink, without pigmentation.

EYES

The dark, clear, oval shaped eyes have tight, well pigmented lids, and a friendly expression.

Faults: Light eyes. Hard expression.
Disqualification: Entropion or ectropion.

EARS

The ears are long, set on low, pendulous, and carried folded and close to the cheeks.

Neck

Moderately long, light, elegant yet well muscled. There is some loose skin under the throat, but a dewlap is not desirable.

Forequarters

The forequarters are strongly muscled, yet not loaded. The shoulders and upper arms are sloping and meet at a right angle.

FORELEGS

The legs are quite straight, with strong bone and elbows placed against the body. The forearms are about the same length as the upper arms. The pasterns are short and never turned out. They are slightly sloping.

Fault: Crooked forelegs.

Body

The body is moderately long. The chest is broad and deep, at least to the elbow. The point of the sternum is visible but not too prominent. The ribs are long, moderately rounded and reach well back. The back is straight and firm. The loin is broad, strong and supple, and the croup is slightly sloping. The underline is slightly tucked up towards the hindquarters.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are very muscular. The bone of the hindquarters is slightly less strong that that of the forequarters.

HIND LEGS

The thighs are of good length and width. The stifle is well bent, and the hock is well angulated and set low.

Feet

Fairly round and firm, with short, well arched, tight toes and rough, hard pads.

Tail

Set on low in continuation of the croup. Medium long, reaching at least to the hock, and ending in an elegant point. Well covered with hair, but no plume. Carried slightly upwards but never tilted over the back.

Coat

There are two coat varieties, which are all shown together at United Kennel Club conformation events.

Smooth coat

Short, smooth, close fitting, finer on head and leathers.

Rough coat

Harsh, elastic, close fitting, barely any undercoat, with slight beard.

Color

There are four color varieties, which are all shown together at United Kennel Club conformation events

Small Bernese Hound

This variety is bred with a smooth and a rough coat. Always tricolor: white, black and tan. Basic colour white with large black patches. A few black mottles permitted. Tan markings (“Brand”) above eyes, on cheeks, on inside and upper part of leathers and round the vent. Black mantle permitted. Skin: Black under black coat, slightly black-and-white marbled under white coat.

Fault: too much black ticking.

Small Jura Hound

This variety is usually smooth haired, seldom shows a “double coat” (Stockhaar). Preferably deep black with tan markings (“Brand”) above eyes, on cheeks, on chest and/or on legs. Or alternatively tan with black mantle or saddle. White patch on chest, not too large, tolerated. Skin: black under black coat, lighter under tan markings.

Small Lucerne Hound

This variety is smooth-haired. Basic colour white, densely grey-white, or black-white speckled (giving a “blue” impression), with large dark or black patches. Tan markings (“Brand”) above eyes, on cheeks, on the inside and upper part of leathers and round the vent. Black mantle permitted. Skin: black under black coat, lighter under blue speckling.

Small Schwyz Hound

This variety is smooth-haired. Basic colour white with larger or smaller yellowish-red to orange red patches. A few orange mottles permitted; orange mantle permitted. Skin: dark grey under orange coat, white-black marbled under white coat.

Faults: Too many orange ticks in the white. Black overlay (“soot”) at leathers, set-on of tail and/or in orange patches.
Disqualification: Any color not described in the standard.

Height

Height at the withers for males is 14 to 17 inches. For females, it is 13 to 16 inches.

Gait

Free, easy, and ground covering.

Eliminating Faults

(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)
More than one inch over or under the standard.

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Undershot, overshot or wry mouth.
Absence of incisors or canines.
Absence of more than three premolars or molars.
Nose pink without pigmentation.
Entropion or ectropion.
Any color not described in the standard.