A limer, or lymer, was a kind of dog, a scenthound, used on a leash in medieval times to find large game before it was hunted down by the pack. It was sometimes known as a lyam hound/dog or lime-hound, from the Middle English word lyam, meaning 'leash'. The French cognate limier has sometimes been used for the dogs in English as well. The type is not to be confused with the bandog, which was also a dog controlled by a leash, typically a chain, but was a watchdog or guard dog.
Developed in medieval Europe, commonly used in forests and hunting grounds
The Limer, also known as the Lymer or Lime-hound, was a specialized scenthound used in medieval hunting. These dogs were adept at tracking large game while on a leash, guiding hunters to their prey before the hunting pack was unleashed. They were particularly valued for their keen sense of smell and tracking ability, distinguishing them from other types of hunting dogs.
Medieval huntsmen, showing a limer and its handler
A picture of a Dutch hunting party showing a rough-haired limer
Finding the Hart from the famous medieval manuscript Livre de la Chasse by Gaston Phoebus, Count de Foix. The handler has tied his heavily built limer to a tree, which he has climbed to spot the deer.
French illustration showing a huntmaster teaching a huntsman how to hunt for hart with the limer.
Trainability
Responsiveness to training: —/5