Dunker

The Dunker is a Norwegian scent hound bred to hunt hare by scent rather than by speed, and often carrying a blue merle coat.

History

It was created in the nineteenth century by Wilhelm Dunker, who crossed Russian harlequin hounds with Norwegian scent hounds to get a dog that could work hare in Norwegian terrain. The merle coat came with that Russian stock.

Temperament

The breed is known for being friendly, calm and even-tempered, sociable with people and other dogs and thoroughly absorbed once it is following a line.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and secure ground. The short coat is easy; the drop ears want routine checking. Recall is the usual hound difficulty.

Health

As in all merle breeds, mating two merles together risks deafness and eye defects, which breeders avoid. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.