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Gammel Dansk Honsehund

History

One of only two hunting dogs native to Denmark, this breed was developed in the early 1700s from various farm blodhundes, (probably a form of the St. Hubert Hound), and early pointing dogs brought from Spain by gypsies. The man most responsible for the breed's early development was Morten Bak, and the breed is sometimes still called the Bakhund locally.
The Old Danish Bird Dog was initially used as a retriever, but its skills as a close working gun dog increased over the years. Unfortunately, the breed began to wane and, in 1939, during the War, it nearly disappeared. Due to the persistence of a few enthusiasts, the Honsehund has gained steadily in popularity since that time. Today, in Denmark, its owners boast it is listed as third hunting dog in the number of registrations.

Modern Danish field trial standards for the breed demand a dog that works fairly close and takes direction from his handler while thoroughly hunting the terrain. He must have great stamina, clean retrieves and, although the high point is most desirable, the old style of creeping and/or dropping to a lying position is still seen and allowed. His tail moves eagerly and, upon scent, circles in full rotation. Because of the breed's superlative nose, many are trained for schweisshund work (seeking wounded deer) as well as for bomb detection. Danish owners say that the breed's abilities are quite universal, with almost all dogs being used for hunting or some other form of work. But they also are a quiet, friendly family dog who can get by with a minimum of exercise. One fan says to live with a Honsehund is like having a "clever and good friend." The heavy neck skin of the breed is a mark of its ancient hound lineage, but the standard warns against allowing too much exaggeration to creep in. His body proportions are that of a rectangle, being only slightly longer than tall, and his tapering tail is never docked. The Honsehund has had very little exposure outside Denmark, although recently, one was invited to compete in the European World Cup competition for all Continental pointing dogs.

General Appearance The Old Danish Pointing Dog is a product of Italian or Spanish pointers imported around the seventeenth century and crossed with several Danish hunting dogs. The breed's standard was recognized in 1962 by the Danish Kennel Club. He is very popular in his native country. Medium sized dog, rectangular and strongly built. One of the most charming features of the breed is the great difference between male and female. While the dog is powerful and substantial, the bitch is characterized by being lighter, more spirited and capricious.

Behavior Very hardy, vigorous, courageous and tenacious, this multi-purpose hunting dog can work on all types of terrain. He makes a gentle and affectionate pet.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS** The ratio of height at withers to length of body is about 8:9.

Advice He needs space and exercise, as well as regular brushing and checking of the ears.

BEHAVIOUR/CHARACTER ** Conveys the impression of a quiet and stable dog showing determination and courage. During the hunt progressing rather slowly, always maintaining contact with the hunter and accomplishing its task as a pointing Dog without creating unnecessary disturbance of the ground. The breed is suited for small as well as large hunting grounds

HEAD Short and wide, without pronounced stop. Occiput prominent and clearly visible from any angle.

CRANIAL REGION ** Skull: Sufficiently wide and distinctly rounded. Stop * Not pronounced.FACIAL REGION* Nose: Fleshy, strongly defined, nostrils wide open. Color from dark to more light liver. Muzzle* Bridge of nose wide. Lips* Flews deep all the way from the nose and covering the lower jaw. The deep flews contribute to giving the head its characteristic depth.

Jaws -Teeth * Powerful jaws with regular scissor bite. Full dentition wanted. Cheeks * Well defined and deep, very muscular. Eyes * Medium sized, neither sunk nor prominent. Dark brown color desirable. Considering the origin of the breed a slight drooping of the lower eye rim is tolerated, but should not be encouraged. Ears* Set rather low, broad and slightly rounded at the ends. Length is correct if the ear, when held towards the nose, will leave free a little more than the outer third of muzzle. Front edge of ear should hang nicely close to the cheek.

NECK Muscular and well furnished. Throatiness is considered a hallmark of the breed, but should not be exaggerated. BODY ** Withers: Well defined. Highest point of topline at the withers, falling slightly to the croup.Back* Firm and very muscular. Loin* Short, wide and muscular, strongly coupled.

Croup * Broad, not too short, slightly sloping towards set-on of tail. Chest * Deep and wide; a good width desired especially for males. Brisket reaches down to elbows. Ribs well sprung and reaching far back. Ribcage neither flat nor barrel-shaped. A well developed forechest is most desirable.

TAIL Set somewhat high rather than too low. Fairly wide at base, tapering towards the end. Medium length, reaching almost to the hocks. Tail is carried naturally drooping. Docking is not allowed.LIMBS * FOREQUARTERS** Viewed from the front strong, straight and parallel. Shoulder* Lying flat and tight against the chest, with strong muscles clearly showing when moving or standing. Upper arm * Of good length, very muscular. Elbow* Close, but not too tight to the body, neither turned in nor out, set rather far back. Good angulation upper/lower arm. Forearm * Straight, with powerful muscles and good bone.Carpal joint* Powerful.\ Pastern * Slightly bent in relation to the forearm. Front feet* Strong and firm, well arched and with tough pads.

HINDQUARTERS Viewed from behind straight and parallel. Good angulation and powerful bone. Upper thigh * Muscular, fairly long and broad. Good angulation pelvis/thigh. Stifle * Strong, well bent. Lower thigh * Fairly long, muscular. Hock joint* Strong and powerful. Hocks (Metatarsus) * Slight angulation to lower thigh.

Hind feet * Strong and firm, well arched and with tough pads.

GAIT Reachy strides with good drive from behind and corresponding reach in front. Movement straight and parallel front and rear. Good, high carriage of head. SKIN ** Not too fine, rather tight fitting on body and limbs. On head and neck the skin is more loose, forming dewlap and fold at the corners of the lips. COAT ** HAIR * Short and dense, somewhat hard to the touch. Hair must cover the body entirely. COLOR * White with brown markings, a few large or many small, brown specks ( freckles) on white. The brown colur may vary, but brown to dark brown is preferred. SIZE ** Height at the withers: Male: 54-60 cm, above 56 cm preferred, Bitch: 50-56 cm, above 52 cm preferred. Weight * Mature male: 30-35 kg, bitch: 26-31 kg.

FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Bad carriage of head. Nose flesh-coloured or spotted.Muzzle too short. Flews insufficiently deep. Missing one or two PM1. Eyes too light. Slight roach back. Croup too short. Tail carried too high over topline. Slightly bow-legged, slightly cow-hocked. Hair too sparse.mall departures in size ( 1-2 cm) above and below limits.

SERIOUS FAULTS Bone too fine. Pronounced stop.Muzzle snipey. Pincer bite. Missing teeth one tooth other than PM1. Pronounced roach back, slight swayback. Obvious lack in chest development. Brisket not sufficiently defined. Ribcage too flat or barrel shaped. Elbows turned strongly in or out. Heavily cow-hocked or bow-legged. Weak pasterns. Flat or splay-feet. Weak, timid behaviour.

ELIMINATING FAULTS Strong deviation in sex characteristics. Teeth * More than two P1 plus one other tooth missing. Non-visible teeth will be considered missing unless their existence at a previous show can be certified. Undershot, overshot bite or any other faulty bite. Cleft palate or hare lip. Ectropion, entropion, distichiasis (double row of eyelashes). Malformation of chest or ribcage ( e.g. too short sternum causing abrupt rise of underline behind ribs). Deviations from size more than 2 cm above or below limits. Very shy and weak behaviour.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note ** Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrottum.