Description of a Hygenhund.

Norwegian breeder Hygen created his hound in the late 1800s from German Holsteiner hounds and various other hound breeds. The Hygenhund was bred as an endurance hunter which can go over the arctic snows for Long periods without fatigue.

Structurally, they are quite short-coupled with a solid, tight build and no excess skin. Reminiscent of the Swedish Smalandsstovare, the head is a bit shorter and more wedge-shaped than most of the other Scandinavian hounds. In addition, the ears are smaller and higher set, allowing them to stand out slightly from the head instead of hanging straight down. The high-arched toes have plenty of protective hair between them. Tails are rather short, barely reaching to the hock, and carried in a slightly upward curve.

A happy dog, he is a serious hunter with great staying power. Like the Halden Hound, his population is small and strict breeding rules govern his sponsors. The standard warns that the wonderful characteristics of this native Norwegian cannot be retrieved from other breeds if lost, and thus a close eye must be kept on breeding programs to maintain his fine qualities.