The Old Danish Chicken Dog

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The Old Danish Chicken Dog

Old Danish Chicken Dogs are, as the name suggests, dogs that originate from Denmark. Back in the early 1700s, "gypsy dogs” (predominantly dogs descending from Spanish pointers and sniffer breeds) were crossed with local farm dogs. This created a breed of white-and-brown roan dogs, first named Bakhunde - Bak dogs – named after Morten Bak, who started the crosses - until later the well-known name – Old Danish Chicken Dog (also known as the Old Danish Pointer).

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Both a hunting and a family dog

At that time, there was a need to breed a pointer that did not have the widest search range, but which had a sharp nose. The dog also had to be easy to train and be a good family dog. These traits were used to improve the breed, and today the Old Danish Chicken Dog is a popular breed with around 1100 registered dogs in Denmark. There is a special club for the breed in Denmark, known as Klubben for Gammel Dansk Hønsehund. The club and its members are very active and look out for one another. The club organises a variety of training events, field trials, retrieval training, fun get-togethers and family events.

An all-round gun dog

As a hunting companion, an Old Danish Chicken Dog provides an all-round dog that can be used for hunting in fields, forests and shrubs. It works naturally well with its handler and is excellent for hunting both large and small areas. It is generally not as big as the other pointer breeds and is also an excellent worker post-shoot. These dogs tend to make lovely family pets with their calm and sociable temperament. The Old Danish Chicken Dog is calm and patient, and its appealing character makes it suitable as a family dog. The Old Danish Chicken Dog is a medium-sized breed. Males: 54-60 cm. Females: 50-56 cm. They are shorthaired and white with liver markings.

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