Bernese, Jura, Lucerne and Schwyz: the Swiss Hound (Schweizer Laufhund, Chien Courant Suisse) is really four dogs sharing the same build but each with a colour of their own. According to the standard, even a Roman mosaic depicts pack hounds corresponding to these varieties.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized Hounds, Standard No. 59, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Switzerland |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 49 to 59 cm, females 47 to 57 cm, no tolerance |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | short, smooth and dense, very fine on head and ears |
| Colours in the standard | Bernese: white with black patches or saddle and tan markings; Jura: tan with black saddle or black with tan; Lucerne: “blue” (heavily speckled) with black patches or saddle and tan; Schwyz: white with orange patches or saddle, orange mantle allowed |
Five types, then four
Italian hunters valued these dogs for hare hunting in the 15th century, French hunters in the 18th. According to the standard, French hounds brought by mercenaries influenced early breeding. In 1882, each of the then five varieties received a standard. In 1909, the Thurgau Hound was found to have disappeared; on 22 January 1933, a shared standard followed for the remaining four. The original Jura Hound of St Hubert type no longer exists either. Smaller hunting grounds later prompted development of the Small Swiss Hound.
Sensitive and passionate
The standard calls these dogs lively and passionate hunters, yet sensitive, easy to handle and affectionate. Their work is that of a scenthound: independently hunting hare, roe deer, fox and occasionally wild boar while giving tongue on the trail, searching reliably even in difficult terrain. A sensitive dog like this responds poorly to harshness and much better to calm consistency.
Work for the nose
Hunting is ideal, with the FCI requiring a working trial. Non-hunters must provide planned searching work: blood trails, mantrailing, countryside searching games and long daily distances. Reliable recall does not come automatically to a dog intended to hunt independently; a long line remains a trusted woodland companion.
Long ears, short hair
The short, dense coat is quickly groomed with a rubber mitt. Inspect the ears carefully: according to the standard, they reach at least the nose tip, are folded inwards and finely coated. Check ears and their edges after outings through brambles and wet grass.
Health: few studies
McMillan and colleagues list the Swiss Hound in their UK longevity study but do not analyse it. Europe PMC contains only a 1981 case report of retinal atrophy in one individual, which says nothing about the breed. The standard itself sets a limit: entropion and ectropion, inward- or outward-rolling eyelids, exclude dogs from breeding even after surgery. Ask for the parents’ eye and hip results and how long their ancestors lived.
A dog for hunting and the countryside
These dogs suit hunters and experienced active people outdoors every day, who appreciate an affectionate, sensitive partner with a nose of their own.
Not the right choice for
City flats, long office days and people needing quiet in the communal hallway. Anyone wanting off-lead woodland walks is better choosing a breed whose ancestors did not follow hares for centuries.
The breed quiz helps you assess whether a hunting dog who gives tongue fits your daily life; our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) offers more depth. For the early weeks with a puppy, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Bernese, Jura, Lucerne or Schwyz: find picture ideas among our dog portraits and on the magazine cover canvas.
Further reading
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached, and what that means day to day
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
- Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 59 Schweizer Laufhund (fci.be, German version dated 28.06.2002, valid original standard dated 28.11.2001); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed, not analysed); Bergsjø T et al., Retinal atrophy in a Swiss hound, American Journal of Veterinary Research 1981.
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