Rustic but also easy to train and with an interesting character. The dunker is a typical dog of Norway and different areas of the Scandinavia, but it is also very popular in other parts of the world, Italy primarily. This breed always knows how to listen to its master in the best way, as long as the educational methods are consistent and respectful. The hound in question will give great satisfaction to hunters, especially in case of hare jokes, those in which the Dunker is able to give the best of itself. Discovering its history and its characteristics is nothing short of fascinating.
Origins of the Dunker
The breed of Norwegian origin, whose origins go back to the nineteenth century thanks to Wilhelm Dunker. In fact, the man decided to cross the Russian bloodhounds, Harlequin Hound, characterized by the red coat, with ancient Norse dogs. From this combination were born the Dunkers, who took their name from their creator, experts in hunting hare.
Physical characteristics of the Dunkers
The dog not very common in Italy and in the rest of Europe, is a specimen of medium size, whether in the male or female version, he does not have a slight build.
This causes the limbs to have one strong and compact structure thanks also to a developed musculature. Furthermore, the rounded paws they have resistant bearings because they are used to being outdoors.
The tThe Dunker's is long, the nose is straight and the eyes not bulging, convey calm and wisdom. The soft ears they run flat along the head.
The Dunker is a dog used to being outdoors, for this reason the hair is not very soft. It usually is dense, straight, thicker on the tail and on the back of the body. As for the color, there are specimens with black or blue-marble fur, called harlequin, enriched with brown and white spots. To keep the coat beautiful and shiny just brush it regularly, moreover, it does not have excessive hair loss.
Il blue merle can be considered the main color of this Scandinavian breed, half of the specimens are characterized by frequent spots that can be both beige and white: another very interesting morphological characteristic is that of strong paws, suitable for walking on the snow, both hard and icy and softer.
Character
Il dunker is a dog suited to family life, but thehunting activity remains its main feature because in this context it is able to demonstrate all its qualities as a exceptional flair and his tenacity.
Strong nerves and a calm and balanced temperament are two qualities that can be useful to any hunter during the hunt.
Even if it is not very widespread in Italy, this breed, present on the Norwegian territory, needs the just master able to appreciate his attitudes. Indeed, it is not a suitable dog to stay indoors, because it would suffer a lot. Its tendency to be sweeper, is combined with a affectionate character. So if you have a house with a garden, it is an excellent companion animal that knows how to stay with the family even if you are not an expert hunter.
It's a dog easy to train, even if it has a character that must be kept under control to avoid getting caught up in bad habits.
Just adopt the right systems and the dog is receptive and ready to listen to the owner. The methods must be gentle and respectful of his character.
If left alone he will not complain, also because he is not used to barking and if he never does it excessively. Just leave him everything he needs to cope with his need and the dog will not feel the absence of its owners.
This is because it is a active dog is gets bored easily if he has nothing to do, then to avoid having the garden destroyed it is better to engage him in some activity.
Il excellent nose pushes him to go to the game hunting and therefore to be an excellent companion during hunting trips. To prepare him for every single joke (not just the hare one he excels at), it is necessary set asupply balanced and that takes into account the most suitable foods to face the various climatic and soil conditions. The Dunker tends to prefer the diets in which the predominates raw meat, perhaps what he loves to savor more than anything else, but they are not disdained croquettes, even better if of high quality
As we have guessed, therefore, there are no great demands from the food point of view and the breed is satisfied with right meal to manage any day without problems.
A separate discussion deserves it physical prowess. Strength is undoubtedly an advantage of the Norwegian breed, particularly robust also because it is bred in one of the coldest countries in Europe. Although Scandinavian temperatures do not rise that much even in summer, this animal tolerates heat well: in the hottest periods, however, it is advisable to train and train the Dunker during the coolest hours of the day, as can be easily understood.
It is worth mentioning that the Norwegian breed lived a particular and negative period immediately after end of the second world war. The the Forties of the last century were difficult, with a decrease in the number of specimens and in consistency, so much so that in the the seventies the Finnish hound managed to unseat the primacy of the breed within Scandinavia. The approximately 700 puppies per year registered in the post-war period are a distant memory, today it has dropped to 150, a situation partially improved by the creation of a specially dedicated body.
In 1986 was born theassociation Dunkerringen, with a commission in charge of study and improve the state of the breed with the introduction of foreign blood. The Dunker's health has been positively affected, but to return to certain levels it will be necessary to wait some more time. The current state is all in all positive and the only serious concern concerns one possible hip dysplasia, the most common pathology among these specimens. Many hunting scenes have been seen and experienced as a protagonist by the cold-loving animal and for sure there will still be many in the coming years.