Sabueso Fino Colombiano – Everything About the Colombian Fino Hound

History
The Colombian Fino Hound is believed to have developed from various scenthounds brought to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th and 17th centuries during colonization. The Spaniards brought various dogs with them, including Bloodhound, Spanish Hounds – like Sabueso Espanol or Grand Bleu de Gascogne. These dogs likely played a major role in the breed’s development, but it is also believed that English breeds contributed as well. During the Colombian War of Independence, the British brought primarily Foxhounds to the region, and these Foxhounds probably also played a role in the development of Sabueso Fino Colombiano.
Over time, the Colombian Fino Hound become very popular all across the Colombia. They were used for hunt in rural communities, but also gained favor among notable figures, including Colombian President Guillermo León Valencia.
Due to Colombia’s diverse and challenging geography, various regional types of the Colombian Fino Hound have developed. For example, the Sabueso Fino Colombiano from the Caribbean coast differs slightly from the Colombian Fino Hound found in the Llanos region.
The Sabueso Fino Colombiano was finally recognized by Colombian Kennel Club in 2014 and in 2015 it was estimated there were as many as 10,000 examples of the breed within Colombia. So inside Colombia, this breed is quite popular, but it remains extremely rare outside Colombia.

Temperament
The Sabueso Fino Colombiano is a hunter and it is an extraordinary hunter. For centuries, it has been used to track rodents like capybaras and lowland pacas, as well as larger game such as deer. Their main weapon on the hunt is their amazing sense of smell, they are absolutely amazing at tracking by scent.
They are also very endurant and energetic, intelligent and agile. However, like many hunting dogs, it can also be independent and somewhat stubborn, which is an essential trait for a breed that needs to think on its own in the field. The Colombian Fino Hound’s incredible nose isn’t just useful for hunting—this breed even played a role in tracking down and capturing the infamous Colombian drug lord "Otoniel."
But the Sabueso Fino Colombiano is not just a hunting dog; it also makes an excellent companion. It is deeply loyal to its family and typically gets along well with children. This breed is usually friendly even with strangers, making it a poor choice for a guard or watchdog. It is affectionate, trusting, and generally sociable with other dogs, especially if raised with them from puppyhood. However, due to its high prey drive, it may not be the best match for households with smaller pets, as they just might to try to hunt them down.
It is important to say, that even though playful, affectionate and generally friendly, this is still not a dog for everyone. It is mainly due to their high energy level. They just need a lot of daily exercise. It can be longer walks, hikes, jogs, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions. Just anything that will occupy their mind and body, otherwise, they might develop some unwanted behaviour, such as destruction or excessive barking. Just like most hounds, they are also not total pushovers to train. I already mentioned that this is kind of stubborn dog and it is true. All hunting dogs are just like that. That means, that they can learn all the basic obedience commands, but sometimes it might be hard for them to obey them, especially if they catch an interesting scent.

Appearance
According to the official breed standard, the Colombian Fino Hound stands between 45-50 cm (17-20 inches) in height and weighs 15-25 kg (33-55 lbs). However, as mentioned earlier in the video, there are significant regional variations, and some individuals may be considerably larger than these standard measurements numbers suggest.
The breed’s short, straight coat comes in a variety of colors, including reddish, black, white, brown, and brindle. There are two coat types: smooth and rough.
The overal appearance of the Colombian Fino Hound is very similar to the appearance of other hounds. They have long floppy ears, the skin is slightly loose, they are well muscled and athletically built and they have almond-shaped eyes with a sweet expression.

Health and grooming
The Colombian Fino Hound is usually a healthy and hardy dog breed with average lifespan around 13 years. Due to its high energy levels and active lifestyle, joint supplements may be beneficial to support long-term mobility and joint health, helping the dog stay active and agile for years to come. But overall this is very healthy dog breed and there are no breed specific health issues related to Colombian Fino Hound.
When it comes to grooming and maintenance, it can not be easier. Thanks to its short, moderately shedding coat, this breed requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing will help remove loose hair, but frequent baths are not necessary. However, special attention should be given to cleaning the ears and eyes to prevent infections and odor buildup.