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Breed Characteristics
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Sabueso Español
| Other Names | Sabueso Español de Monte, Spanish Hound |
| Country of Origin | Spain |
| Weight | 46 - 58 lbs. (21 - 26.5 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 20.5 - 22.5 in. (52 - 57 cm) Females: 19 - 21 in. (48 - 53 cm) |
| Coat | Typically the coat should be smooth, short, and glossy. |
| Colour | They should have a white base with any combination of lemon, orange, or red-brown patches painted on it without any mottling or merle patterning. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 10 - 12 years |
| Origin & History | The first description of Iberian scenthounds appears in chapter 39 of Libro de la Montería de Alfonso XI or The Hunting Book of Alfonso XI, a medieval tome of the 14th century for a Castillian king. After that, diverse descriptions of Iberian scenthounds appeared in various Spanish hunting books of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries: two examples include Tratado de la Montería, or A Treatise on Hunting and Molina's late Renaissance book Discurso de la Montería, or A Discourse on Hunting, written in 1582. During these centuries Spanish scenthounds of the type that would become the Sabueso were used mainly in brown bear and wild boar hunting. Also they were very used to track wounded game by hunters called Ballesteros (because they used crossbows). Of course these hounds have been used since very ancient times in "caza a traílla" (leashed hound-hunting) to know previously of the hunt the resting location of bears, boars and wolves. When firearms were getting common in northern Spain and big game populations decreased, hunters diversified their quarry and began directing their hounds to hunt rabbits, called "caza de la liebre a la vuelta", although the hunting of wild boar and roe deer continued in other areas. Today big game populations in northern Spain have increased substantially and use of the Spanish scenthound has been revived, with a fixed standard since 1982, mainly in wild boar hunting, in the traditional type of boar hunting called "caza a traílla". |
| Personality | The overall temperament is gentle and easy going, but relentless in tracking and brave when faced with a large animal like a male boar. |
Care Requirements
| Health | Breed health concerns include hip dysplasia and ear problems. |
| Grooming | Just brush regularly with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. A rub with a piece of toweling or chamois will leave the coat gleaming. Check the feet also, especially after the dog has been exercising or working. Dry the dog thoroughly after hunting to prevent chilling. Examine the ears regularly. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Exercise | Exercise is of paramount importance for these tireless, energetic animals. They are more than a match for even the most active family and they should not be taken on as family pets unless they can be guaranteed plenty of vigorous exercise, including a daily, brisk, long walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive. |
| Other Considerations | These dogs are not recommended for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and do best with acreage. As many other races of this group is a dog hunter, exclusive countryside environments and that has not been used in other purposes. Within this hunting breed is described as "trace and shows (by its smell so). It is used for both hunting hair (rabbits, hares, etc.). As for the feather (birds). It is perfect for hunting in any terrain (hard as it is) because it has an enviable physical endurance and speed. |
