🐕 Medium · Germany

German Hound: Size, Weight & Temperament

An endurance-bred German pack hound with a loud, resonant voice and outstanding nose, kept almost exclusively by hunters and rarely suited as a purely family companion.

! Experienced only
German Hound dog breed portrait
Photo: Canarian · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Weight male16–20 kg
Weight female15–18 kg
Shoulder height40–48 cm
Size classMedium (12–25 kg)
Fully grownat approx. 15 months
Life expectancy10–12 years
Activity levelHigh
OriginGermany
ClassificationFCI Group 6 (Scenthounds), Section 1.3 (Medium-sized Hounds)
Temperament & character

Even-tempered and affectionate at home, but once it picks up a scent trail it will hunt on independently over long distances. It adapts poorly to a purely urban lifestyle.

Exercise & stimulation

Needs several hours of demanding exercise daily, including tracking or blood-trailing work; ordinary walks are not enough. In open country it can only be trusted safely on a lead.

Grooming

The short, dense coat is low-maintenance, though the drop ears should be checked regularly. Without a proper hunting or scent-based task, the dog quickly develops behavioral problems.

Suitable for beginners?

Suitable in practice only for hunters or very experienced owners in a rural setting, since its hunting drive and vocal tendency are barely manageable in daily life without hunting work.

Health & common problems

Overall a robust breed with comparatively few hereditary disorders, having been bred with little regard for show conventions; hip dysplasia and ear infections nonetheless occur occasionally.

Good with: Hunters, experienced owners with plenty of space to roam

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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.