Gotlandsstövare

The Gotlandsstövare had its first standard accepted in 1920, but it was only valid for 10 years. In 1930 it was decided that it should be interbred as a yellow variety of the Smålandsstövare, but later, in 1934, this was altered and the yellow variety was instead to be interbred with the Hamiltonstövare.

It was a well-known fact that occasional yellow puppies where born in litters of Hamiltonstövare and these were kept and registered although the colour was not accepted in the standard. The yellow variety was called Gotlandsstövare as most of the dogs were found on the island of Gotland. Several attempts were made to have the "yellows" revived as a breed but it was not until 1989 an inventory was made. Enough hounds were found to give the yellows a chance.

The breed was given recognition in 1990 for a period of ten years. The evaluation was extended to the end of 2004 and from 2009 the yellows were again registered as a breed of their own, with 50 registered that year and under the name of Gotlandsstövare.

The breed is mainly used for hunting hare. It is still the numerically smallest of the Swedish scent hound breeds.

Appearance and size

The Gotlandsstövare is rectangular in body, elegant but with an impression of strength and endurance. The coat is smooth, close lying and hard in texture. The colour is always yellow or yellowish-red with slight, symmetrical white markings.

Ideal height at the withers for males is 52 cm with an accepted variation from 48 to 56 cm. Ideal height for females is 48 cm, with an accepted variation from 44 to 52 cm. 

Breed registration statistics

Below you can find the registration statistics for the Gotlandsstövare in the Nordic countries from 1990 onwards.