Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund

Also called Small Swiss Hound, Swiss Short-legged Hound, Petit Chien Courant Suisse, Schweizer Niederlaufhund

A keen, untiring little hound with a superb nose and a melodious voice.

Size	Small
Height	33 to 43 cm (13 to 17 in)males 35 to 43 cm, females 33 to 40 cm1 2
Coat	Smooth, rough or double coat
Origin	Switzerland.1 3
Group	FCI group 6

Recognised breedShort profile

excellent nose

steady and friendly

tireless and deft in rough terrain

1 3

Personality what they are like

A keen, untiring little hound with a superb nose and a melodious voice. Steady and friendly, ranging from calm to lively, and never aggressive.1 3

Coat and looks how to spot one

smooth, rough or double coat

A low, rectangular scent hound, a scaled-down version of the Swiss Hound with a noble head and very long, low-set folded ears that reach to the nose tip. The coat may be short and smooth, harsh with a slight beard, or dense with an undercoat.1 2

ColoursSmall Bernese: white, black and tanSmall Jura: black with tanSmall Lucerne: blue speckled with black mantleSmall Schwyz: white with orange-red mantle1 3

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Bred to hunt on its own, giving tongue as it follows game; needs regular long walks and outlets for tracking.1 3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Coat care depends on coat type; all three are fairly easy to keep with regular brushing.1

Company who they like around

A friendly, people-oriented hound that enjoys working together with its owner.1 3

The story where it all began

Around 1900 several Swiss cantons limited hunting to smaller districts, where the fast medium-sized Swiss Hounds covered too much ground. Breeders selected shorter-legged dogs to create a slower, compact hound for these areas, and the breed club was founded in 1905.1 3 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It was created specifically for hunting in small, enclosed districts where bigger hounds ran too fast.3
2
Its ears are so long that, folded forward, they reach the tip of the nose.2
3
Three coat types are allowed: smooth, rough and double.1

Where the name comes from the story behind it

The breed name "Niederlaufhund" means "short-legged hound" in German, referring to its smaller stature compared to the standard Swiss Hound.4

Name ideas for your new friend

AlpineBellaBrunoEchoHeidiLottiMiloNalaRosaSchnuffToniZürich

A day in the life told by a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund

I start my day sniffing the alpine breeze on our morning walk, my nose twitching with every scent. I follow a trail through the meadow, giving a melodious bay when I find a rabbit’s path. Back home, I curl up on the sofa, watching my human work. In the afternoon, we play hide-and-seek in the garden – I always find the treat first. Evening brings a gentle stroll, and I sleep with my nose tucked under my tail, dreaming of tomorrow’s adventures.

A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.

Recognised by the official bits

FCI: Standard no. 60, Group 6, Section 1.3 Small-sized hounds, with working trial; four varieties (Bernese, Jura, Lucerne, Schwyz).1
Schweizer Niederlaufhund-Club: Breed club founded 1905.3

Treats they will love homemade and simple

Homemade Dog Biscuits (Chicken & Rice)

A simple, tasty treat made from gentle ingredients that are easy on sensitive stomachs, perfect for rewarding without upset.

You need

1 egg
170g boiled chicken breast
100g cooked plain rice
60ml chicken stock (homemade or no added salt)
680g plain flour (adjust as needed for consistency)

How

Preheat oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
Blitz the boiled chicken, cooked rice, and chicken stock in a blender until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl, add the egg and flour, and mix well.
Dust a clean surface with flour, turn out the dough, and knead until no longer sticky.
Roll dough to about 1cm thickness and cut into shapes with a cookie cutter.
Place on the tray and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Cool completely before serving.

How much: 1–2 biscuits as an occasional treat for a medium-sized healthy dog. Adjust for your dog's size, age, and activity level.

Recipe from Blue Cross

Blueberry Oat Biscuits

These simple, three-ingredient biscuits are full of fibre and antioxidants from blueberries, and are easy to make in small sizes for toy and small dogs.

You need

100g oats
1 banana (mashed)
40g fresh blueberries (chopped)
a little water (as needed)

How

Preheat your oven to 175°C.
Mix the mashed banana, oats and chopped blueberries together in a bowl.
Add splashes of water a little at a time, stirring until the mixture comes together in one large ball.
Roll the mixture out on a lightly floured surface to about 1–2 cm thick.
Use a small cookie cutter or a knife to cut out shapes suitable for a small dog.
Place the shapes on a lined baking tray and bake for 15–20 minutes until slightly browned.
Leave to cool completely before serving.

How much: Give one small biscuit per day for a toy or small dog, and reduce their main meal accordingly.

Recipe from Dogs Trust

Frozen Yoghurt and Fruit Treats

These refreshing frozen treats are perfect for warm days and use simple, dog-safe ingredients. Yoghurt provides calcium and probiotics, while strawberries and apple add vitamins and natural sweetness.

You need

30g plain, unsweetened yoghurt (no additives or sweeteners)
2-3 medium strawberries (washed and chopped)
Half a small apple (cored and chopped into small pieces)

How

Wash the strawberries and apple thoroughly. Core the apple and chop both fruits into small, bite-sized pieces.
Mix the chopped fruit together in a small bowl.
Place a few pieces of fruit (no more than five) into each compartment of a small silicone mould or ice cube tray. Each mould should be roughly 30mm x 25mm x 17mm or smaller.
Pour the plain yoghurt over the fruit, filling each mould to the top.
Place the mould or tray in the freezer for at least 3-4 hours, or until fully frozen.
Pop the treats out of the moulds and serve immediately.

How much: Small dogs can have one treat per day; medium/large dogs can have two per day. These count towards the 10% treat allowance, so reduce your dog's main meals accordingly.

Recipe from PDSA

Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund, and at what times?

Feed an adult at least twice a day, and a puppy three to four smaller meals, at consistent times that suit your routine. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests daily meals, and your vet can help set exact portions.5 Pet Wiki plan

What should a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund eat, and which foods are dangerous?

Feed a balanced dog food, following the label for amounts and checking with your vet. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol, onions, garlic, and alcohol.6 5

How often should I bathe a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund?

Bathe at least every three months, or more often if your dog gets dirty or has skin issues. Pet Wiki's plan suggests a bath about every eight weeks, using a gentle dog shampoo.7 Pet Wiki plan

How often does a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund need brushing?

Brush weekly for smooth coats, and more often for rough or dense coats, to keep them easy to manage. Pet Wiki's plan recommends brushing every seven days.7 1 Pet Wiki plan

How do I trim a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund's nails, and how often?

Trim nails when they nearly touch the ground, cutting a little at a time and stopping before the quick. Pet Wiki's plan suggests every three weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor.7 Pet Wiki plan

How much exercise does a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund need?

This keen hound needs regular long walks and chances to track, as it was bred to hunt. Pet Wiki's plan includes daily walks and play to keep it happy and healthy.1 3 Pet Wiki plan

How do I look after a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund's teeth and ears?

Brush teeth two to three times a week with dog toothpaste, and check ears weekly, drying them since floppy ears trap moisture. Pet Wiki's plan suggests daily teeth brushing and weekly ear checks.7 Pet Wiki plan

How long does a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund live?

Lifespan varies, but senior years often start around age 10, so plan for regular vet checkups then. Your vet can give more specific guidance for your dog. Pet Wiki plan

Is a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund good with children and other pets?

Yes, this breed is steady, friendly, and never aggressive, making it good with children and other pets. It is people-oriented and enjoys working with its owner.1 3

Can a Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund be left alone?

It varies by individual, as this friendly hound prefers company and may not like long solitude. Ask a good breeder or your vet for advice based on your dog's temperament.

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.