Zigge and Rex

When I, Pontus, decided to get a dog, my plan was to find a Laika or a Jämthund, since hunting wild boar with a baying dog was what interested me most. After calling several kennels and breeders, I quickly realised it wasn’t easy to find a pup from good working lines. I always got the same answer — the dogs needed to hunt a lot (which was fine by me) but also to work moose and bear, and that’s where it got tricky. We do hunt moose occasionally, but not enough to meet those expectations, and bear hunting simply wasn’t an option for me. That usually made the breeders hesitate.

Impatient as I am, I eventually grew tired of all the requirements about bear experience and sending the dogs north for moose hunting, so I started looking into other options — and that’s when I came across mixed breeds.

My first dog ended up being a cross between a German Hunting Terrier and a Norwegian Elkhound, which I got in 2017. It’s not a mix I would choose today, but back then it felt like a fun idea. He may not be the most handsome dog, but he’s the one who gave me far more hunting opportunities than I’d had before – it turned out he was pretty good at wild boar.

He’s not just a skilled hunter; he’s also great company in the forest. He drives the boar with a strong, steady bark, which the stand shooters really appreciate. And when he’s got something in front of him, it’s full speed through the woods.

Zigge is a dog with endless energy and a will entirely of his own — like a bouncy ball on four legs. There’s nothing he loves more than seeing me head out to the kennel and put on my hunting gear; the moment he spots that, his eyes light up and he knows exactly what’s coming. For him, there’s nothing better than heading out into the woods — it’s what he lives for.

I mostly keep Zigge as a pure hunting dog, though of course he’s with us at home too. During autumn and winter, we spend most weekends running through the forest, while spring and summer are a bit calmer. Then we focus more on tracking and conditioning work, depending on the weather.

Zigge absolutely hates walking on parquet or any slippery floors. If he has to cross one, he’ll take a running start and dash straight to the nearest rug. He’s also the biggest foodie in our family and will eat anything you give him. On top of that, he’s compact and surprisingly strong for his size – when he comes charging at full speed, you’d better step aside or risk getting knocked over like a bowling pin.

I bought my second dog as a complement to Zigge, since he was working quite hard and, when he got injured, it was always disappointing to have to turn down hunting invitations. That’s why I got Rex – also a mix, this time between a Jämthund and a Plott.

From early on, he showed a strong interest in both wild boar and moose, and it quickly became clear that he’s a skilled hunter too. Rex works much like a Jämthund – barking on contact and moving quietly when the game is on the move. One of his best qualities is his voice; he’s got a deep, clear bark that carries far through the forest. He’s also calm in the way he works and keeps a safe distance, which makes him a pleasure to hunt with.

Rex is a calm, steady dog with a very balanced temperament. He loves being close and often tries to sit in your lap, completely unaware that he’s a bit too big for it. He always wants to be where you are, and that enthusiasm sometimes gets the better of him – when he comes inside, he spins a few excited laps around the room before finally settling down. After the third lap, he’s calm as a log again. Otherwise, he’s just a genuinely kind and friendly dog.

Rex is extremely picky with food. He doesn’t care for sweets or table scraps and prefers to stick to his kibble. We often call him the family clown because he loves being the center of attention and has a great sense of humor. One of his trademark moves is his “smile” – when he sees you in the morning or gets invited up for a cuddle, he pulls back the corners of his mouth, shows his teeth, and presses in as close as he possibly can.

The more I’ve hunted with Rex and watched how he works, the more my interest in the Jämthund has grown. So looking ahead, my plan is to get one of my own. My goal with the next dog is to take the time to find one from solid working lines – to be patient, not rush the process, and let it take the time it needs to find the right dog for me.