Hanoverian Scenthound Dog Breed Information
Also known as: Hannoverscher Schweisshund, Hanoverian Hound
An older heavier German blood-tracking hound, used for following wounded deer and boar. The senior partner to the lighter Bavarian Mountain Hound. Very rare in NZ.
A highly affectionate, highly trainable dog. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the Hanoverian Scenthound.
The Hanoverian Scenthound is the senior heavier German blood-tracker, traceable in line to the medieval Liam-hound used by 9th-century foresters. NZ presence is essentially nil; the lighter and more agile Bavarian Mountain Hound is the more common NZ choice for blood-tracking wounded deer and pigs.
Personality and behaviour
Calm, methodical, deeply bonded to a single handler. The breed is not a household companion. Reserved with strangers, ambivalent about other dogs, focused on scent work. Vocal habits are minimal day-to-day, expressive on a track.
Care and exercise
90 minutes a day plus regular tracking work. Bloat risk is real for any deep-chested working dog: split meals, avoid hard work around feeding. Best suited to a NZ working forest or rural setting where the dog can do the job it was bred for.
The Hanoverian Scenthound, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 3.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Physical
avg 2.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Drooling
Social
avg 2.3Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Personality
avg 3.8Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Hanoverian Scenthound.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Hanoverian Scenthound costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Hanoverian Scenthound costs about
$295per month
$68
$10
$46,680
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$123 / mo
$1,475/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$90 / mo
$1,085/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$44 / mo
$530/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$0 / mo
$0/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$38 / mo
$450/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $3,750 + setup $450) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Hanoverian Scenthound compare?
This breed
Hanoverian Scenthound
$46,680
12-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$4,200
- Food (lifetime)$17,700
- Vet (lifetime)$6,360
- Insurance (lifetime)$13,020
- Grooming (lifetime)$0
- Other (lifetime)$5,400
Reference
Average NZ medium dog
$38,920
12-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,200
- Food (lifetime)$13,200
- Vet (lifetime)$6,000
- Insurance (lifetime)$11,400
- Grooming (lifetime)$2,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,720
A Hanoverian Scenthound costs about $7,760 more over a lifetime than the average nz medium dog, mostly higherfood and lowergrooming.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZKC breeders test for these conditions and share results without being prompted. If a breeder won't share screening results, that is itself an answer.
Common
1 conditionEar infections
A common condition in the Hanoverian Scenthound. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
2 conditionsHip dysplasia
An occasional condition in the Hanoverian Scenthound. Worth asking about and DNA testing where available.
Bloat
An occasional condition in the Hanoverian Scenthound. Worth asking about and DNA testing where available.
The Hanoverian Scenthound in NZ.
- Popularity: Almost no NZ presence.
- Typical price: NZ$3000–4500 from registered breeders
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Suits all NZ regions.
- Living space: Working forest or rural setting only.
Who the Hanoverian Scenthound is for.
Suits
- Professional foresters and game wardens
- NZ Deerstalkers and DOC tracking contractors
Less suited to
- Pet households
- Apartments
Common questions.
How is it different from a Bavarian Mountain Hound?
Is it suitable as a pet?
If the Hanoverian Scenthound appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Bavarian Mountain Hound
A medium German blood-tracking hound used to follow wounded deer and large game. Used in NZ by professional hunters and DOC contractors for tracking work.
Bloodhound
The original tracking scenthound and the gold-standard nose in the dog world. Affectionate, slow-gaited, heavy-bodied, and a meaningful drool and noise commitment in any NZ household.
Slovakian Hound
A medium black-and-tan Slovakian boar hunter, hardy and tireless, used by serious NZ pig hunters who want a dedicated big-game scenthound.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.