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Dunker Breed Description

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Breed Organization

United Kennel Club (UKC)

Native Country
Norway

Other Names
Norwegian Hound

Life Expectancy
No Information Available

Litter Size
No Litter Information Available

Breed Group
UKC-Scenthound

General Description

The Dunker's coat is straight, hard, dense, and not too short, with the most desirable colors being black or blue marbled with pale fawn and white markings.

Breed Standard

Head: Cleanly cut, long, without loose skin. Slightly domed skull. Pronounced stop. Straight nosebridge. Long muzzle.
Ears: Medium in length, slightly rounded at the tips. Carried flat against the head.
Eyes: Fairly large, dark. Heterochromatic eyes are tolerated in the blue marbled (harlequin) variety.
Body: Longer than it is tall. Fairly long neck without dewlap. Spacious chest with well-rounded ribs. Broad, muscular loin. Well-muscled, slightly sloping croup.
Tail: Thick at the base, tapering toward the tip. Must be set on level with the topline.
Hair: Short, dense, straight, not too soft.
Coat: Black or blue marbled (harlequin), with fawn and white markings.
Size: Dog: 50 to 55 cm. (20-22 in).Bitch: 48 to 53 cm. (19-21 in).
Weight: 20 25 kg (44-55 in).

History

To develop this breed, able to hunt rabbit by scent instead of sight, the Norwegian breeder W. Dunker is believed to have crossed a Russian Harlequin Hound with various keen-nosed hounds. The Norwegian Hound is popular in Scandinavia.

Behavior

Very robust and able to adapt to all types of weather and terrain, the Norwegian Hound is built for long-distance running rather than sprinting. He hunts hare. Even-tempered and kind, he makes a good companion.

He needs space and exercise, as well as regular brushing.

Function

Hunting Dog, Companion Dog.

Health

Occasionally, cases of hip dysplasia can occur. Deafness is also a significant issue, with 75% of all dogs of this breed being unilaterally or bilaterally deaf.

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The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”

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Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.

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