Halden Hound Dog: Pictures, Personality & Facts

Every dog lover desires a dog with exceptional temperaments and traits. That said, meet the Halden Hound. These dogs have a lot going for them, and they make excellent family companions. These medium-sized dogs are scent hounds who love being in the presence of their humans. They are friendly, gentle, loyal, and wonderful with children. What more can you ask for?

In this post, we’ll explore everything there is to know about these hard-working dogs so you can decide if owning a Halden Hound is right for your family.

The Halden Hound, also known as the Haldenstover, hails from Norway and is named after the town they originated from, Halden. These scent hounds were bred to hunt Norwegian hares and are quite the hunters. They have exceptional speed and stamina, and they make wonderful family dogs. They have a bit of an independent streak when it comes to training, requiring a more experienced dog owner with a firm yet gentle hand.

These dogs were developed in the 1900s and are a mix of the Beagle and various European hound dogs. They look similar to the American Foxhound but are a bit smaller in size. They are gentle with children and love the company of their humans.

Halden Hound Characteristics

Halden Hound Puppies

An important aspect of the Halden Hound is that they are energetic dogs and will not be suitable for a family who is rarely home. In order for Halden Hound puppies to grow into well-behaved canines, you must be at least semi-experienced in training a scent hound.

If you find a Halden Hound puppy, expect the puppy to be extremely energetic. You should also be prepared to have an energetic adult, too! It’s essential to keep a Halden Hound puppy exercised to keep the puppy out of mischief; otherwise, you may come home to a destroyed house or torn-up shoes. If you’re on the hunt for a Halden Hound puppy, ensure you have a good-sized fenced yard for activities and playtime.

You may have trouble finding one of these energetic hunting dogs in the United States; however, you can always check your local animal shelters for one—you never know what type of dogs you’ll find in shelters that need loving homes.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Halden Hound

As you can tell by now, the Halden Hound is an energetic dog with tons of energy and stamina. These dogs can be stubborn, but as long as the owner is experienced in training, these dogs make ideal companions and will form bonds with their human families. They have an incredible work ethic and stamina, making them highly suitable for hunting. They are affectionate, friendly, loyal, and make good watch dogs. They do not, however, make good guard dogs, as they lack aggression and will not attack an intruder. Nonetheless, they are vocal dogs and will have no problem alerting you to potential danger.

Like most hunting dogs, they are intelligent and can learn acceptable behaviors and tricks with proper training. The reason we’ve stated that it takes a firm yet gentle hand for successful training is they will push you around if they feel you’re not the dominant one in the pack. Once you establish dominance, these dogs are loyal to the end.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?👪

The Halden Hound is excellent for families who have the time to spend with them. Since they form strong bonds with their humans, they can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They can also be destructive in this case. If you’re contemplating adding a Halden Hound to your family, ensure you are able to keep up with their exercise needs. If you’re a couch potato, we recommend getting a less energetic and needy dog.

They love children and appreciate a child’s energy levels. Their medium size is also ideal for playing with children, as you won’t have to worry about their large size accidentally knocking a small child over during excitement.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Halden Hound is typically accepting of other dogs and will appreciate having a four-legged playmate. They are not aggressive dogs but may become over-protective of you with other dogs if not nipped in the bud early. Socialization is vital for your Halden Hound to be well-behaved around other pets. These dogs were bred to be solo hunting dogs, and they don’t necessarily need another dog as a playmate.

Remember that these dogs were bred to hunt. They have a high prey drive, so be careful if you have small pets, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, or other small rodents. Never leave your Halden Hound unsupervised around smaller animals, including cats, for added safety. Of course, this is not to say your Halden Hound will not do well around such animals, as every dog is different; you just need to take extra caution to ensure all of your animals’ safety.

Things to Know When Owning a Halden Hound

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Given their stamina and energy, these dogs do best with a calorie-dense, high-protein diet. Look at their food as fuel to replenish all the burned calories. They generally do well with 3 cups of kibble daily, divided into morning and evening feedings. However, the portions should be suited to your dog’s activity levels to keep obesity at bay. You can use your vet as a resource for guidance on how much to feed your particular dog.

Ensure the dog food contains high-quality protein as the first ingredient, and it should be approved by AAFCO and be complete and balanced. You should also ensure the food is free from artificial flavors, preservatives, or other unnecessary additives.

Exercise 🐕

Exercise, exercise, and exercise some more! We’ve mentioned that these dogs have high energy and stamina, and it takes an owner who has the time to spend exercising these dogs for them to be healthy and happy. They love to go on hikes or runs, so if you engage in these activities, the Halden Hound is right for you. They also love to play in the yard with toys, frisbees, or any other toy you can engage in play with. Once sufficiently exercised, they will relax and rest peacefully until the next burst of energy arrives.

Training 🦮

The Halden Hound is intelligent, but they can be a bit stubborn when it comes to training. As we’ve mentioned, they will take advantage of an owner who lacks dominance, making establishing dominance in the pack essential. As long as you’re assertive, these dogs can be well-trained, obey commands, and learn new tricks.

When it comes to training a Halden Hound, you must keep things new, exciting, and interesting; otherwise, boredom will set in, which can result in destructive behavior. A useful tip is to train your Halden Hound in an area where he won’t be distracted by smells. After all, they are hunting scent hounds. Most of all, have fun with training, as this activity will only strengthen the bond between you and your Halden Hound.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming a Halden Hound is not too involved. Their short, dense coats do not shed excessively and will benefit from a brushing once or twice a week with a slicker brush to remove dead hair. You should bathe them only when dirty or just a few times a year.

An important grooming aspect of these dogs is cleaning their folded-over ears. While cute as a button, their ears are prone to ear infections because they collect excess moisture that will turn ugly if not cleaned. Check the ears weekly and clean them as needed with doggie ear wipes when dirty. Check the nails regularly and trim them as needed. Brush the teeth with dog toothpaste as often as possible, preferably three times a week. You can also provide dental chews between brushings.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Any dog can develop a health issue or condition, and the Halden Hound is no exception. However, these dogs are pretty healthy and have long life spans. Still, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with possible health concerns so you know what to look for.

Male vs. Female

There isn’t much difference between a male and female Halden Hound. One difference is males tend to be slightly bigger than females. Another is that males tend to mature more slowly than females. For intact dogs, sexual behaviors will be present until fixed. For example, an intact female may be moody, and an intact male may be more territorial and possessive. An intact male will also be more prone to roaming and marking behavior. For the health and safety of your Halden Hound, it’s best to spay/neuter to keep cancer risks away.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Halden Hound

1. They Are Not Apartment Dogs

Owning a Halden Hound is out of the question if you live in an apartment. These dogs need adequate space to roam and play, and apartment life is simply unsuitable for these highly active dogs.

2. At One Time, the Breed Was Near Extinction

A combination of World War II and canine viruses nearly brought this breed to extinction. In fact, there are only a few of these dogs registered under the Norway Kennel Club. Even today, they are considered at risk for extinction, but not for reasons of their character. There simply hasn’t been enough interest in these fabulous dogs to keep the breed going, unfortunately.

3. They Can Chase Prey for Miles Without Tiring

These dogs have incredible stamina and can chase prey for miles, even in the harsh, cold, and frozen climates of Norway. They also possess great speeds during the hunt.

Final Thoughts

These dogs are rare and hard to come by, especially outside of their country of origin. This is unfortunate given their affectionate and loyal nature, hunting skills, and being an all-around, well-adjusted dog breed. If you do find one, be prepared to establish dominance in the pack. However, in doing so, you’ll have an affectionate, loving dog that will be loyal until the end. Remember that they need tons of exercise and are unsuitable for first-time dog owners or apartment living.

Featured Image Credit: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay