Old Danish Chicken Dog

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Old Danish Chicken Dog is also known as 'Gammel Dansk Honsehund', 'The Old Danish Pointer' and 'The Old Danish Bird Dog'. It is a medium size breed originating in Denmark and is used as pointing dogs. This breed is believed to have originated in 1710 in Danish towns of Randres and Hobro when a local farmer, Morten Bak crossed gypsy dogs through eight generations with local farm dogs and gave rise to a new piebald white and brown dogs called Backhunds or Old Danish Pointers.

This medium size dog has a squarely built strong body. It stands between 21 to 23.5 inches and weighs between 57 to 77 lbs. The dog conveys the impression of a quiet and stable dog showing determination and courage. It has a short and wide head with moderately wide skull. Fleshy nose comes in dark to light liver red colour and has wide open nostrils. Medium size eyes are moderately set; neither sunk nor prominent. Dropped ears are set rather low, broad and slightly rounded at tips. Neck is strong and muscular. Rectangular body has well defined withers and firm and very muscular back. Loin is short, wide and muscular while chest is deep and wide. Tapering to the tip, the moderately high set tail is wide at the base. It is naturally carried drooped. Fore and hind quarters are strong and parallel. The skin is tight and close fitting while not being too thin. It is more loose on the head and forms dewlap. The short coat of the breed is hard to touch. It comes in brown and white colour combination with a number of small or a few large brown patches present on white colour.

This breed is NOT recognized by AKC however it is recognized by FCI.

Color

This dog comes in white and brown colouring. Brown can be light or dark. White body part is covered with lots of small or a few large brown patches.

Coat

The coat is short, dense and hard to touch. It covers the body entirely and is low maintenance in nature.

Personality

The Gammel Dansk Hoensehund aka Old Danish Chicken Dog is a smart and friendly dog. This breed has great stamina but works rather slowly. It always remains in close contact with the hunter. The dog is calm and composed when indoor between its family. It may not be as playful with children as some other breeds but the dog is jovial and light-hearted around its family. Characterized as calm, mellow and warm in nature, this breed is loyal and devoted to its master. It is gentle and affectionate with its family. With a docile and submissive nature, the dog is rather easy to train and does not pose any problems. It is alert to its surroundings and makes a good watchdog. While the dog is friendly with its family and people it knows, it is reserved though not aggressive around strangers. This breed can get along with other dogs though it is seldom seen playing with other dogs. This dog will rather sit and watch from some distance. Due to high prey drive, small animals should not be left alone with this dog. Early socialization is a must to eradicate any signs of shy behavior and the dog should be socialized with strange people, places and conditions. This dog makes a very good family pet.

Care

Short coat of this breed does not require much grooming. Weekly brushing should keep the coat clean and in top condition.

Training

This breed is very easy to train with gentle yet consistent training sessions. It is not a difficult dog to train.

Activity

As a working and hunting dog, the Old Danish-Chicken Dog has high energy levels which needs to be utilized in physical activities. When on hunt, the dog utilizes its high energy levels but would need daily walks and playing time when not hunting. Best and most suitable setting for this breed is in rural or suburban area or with families with large yards where this dog can roam and play without a leash.