Serbian Hound
Encyclopedia
The Serbian Hound previously known as the Balkan Hound (Балкански гонич / Balkanski gonič), is a pack hunting dog
breed
used in Serbia
. It is red or tan with a black saddle, neck and cranium and red or tan face. Its head is flat and sloping, its muzzle pointed, with drop ears of the usual scent hound
type. The Balkan Hound stands 17 to 21 inches (44–56 cm) in height and weighs about 44 pounds (20 kg). It is smooth-coated and coarse-haired. Described as pleasant natured and obedient, the breed is thought to descend from dogs left in the Balkan region by the Phoenicians in ancient times.
The FCI
changed its official designation of this breed to the Serbian Hound in 1996.
The Serbian Hound is a very kind breed of dog, forming bonds with its family and owners. It is a lively breed and loves to walk and play with loved ones. The Serbian Hound is a very good worker with a tenacious nature that will not let it give up until it finds its quarry.
The Balkan Hound has been a permanent fixture in the Balkans throughout history with the first standard written for the breed in 1924; however, it was not until 1940 that the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
accepted the standard which had been accepted elsewhere. The Balkan Hound was spread most widely through Serbia
and, at a FCI meeting in 1996, it was decided to officially change the name to the Serbian Hound.
Today, the Serbian Hound can be seen throughout its native country, but remains very rare in other lands.
Also called the black and tan.
Height (at withers/shoulder):
Males: 46–56 cm/18–22 in;
Females: 44–54 cm/17½–21½ in
Weight: 44 lb/20 kg
Coat: Hair is short, abundant, gleaming and quite thick, lying well all over the body. The undercoat is quite well developed. Hair is slightly longer over the back of the thighs and the underside of the tail.
Colour: Red going from yellowy red to a rust tone, with a black mantle or saddle. The mantel or saddle goes as far as the head, which shows black marks on either side of the temples.
Markings: A round white mark no longer than 2 cm on the chest.
Lifespan: Average 12 years.
A robust, medium-sized dog. The skull is slightly rounded with a well-developed muzzle and a nose that is always black. The eyes are oval and slanting with dark irises. Ears are set high and of medium length and width; they are carried hanging down and close to the cheeks. The neck is strong and slightly arched. The body is slightly oblong, with a back that is well-muscled, long and powerful. The tail is slightly curved up and is carried below the line of the back, covered in abundant hair. Forequarters are powerful, well-muscled and parallel with muscular shoulder blades. The hindquarters are strong with well-muscled thighs.
Friendliness: Friendly
Children: Can be good with children
Trainability: Can be difficult to train
Independence: Moderate
Dominance: Can be dominant if allowed to be
Decorum: May chase other pets
Combativeness: Can be good if sufficiently socialised with other dogs
Noise: Average barker
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
used in Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. It is red or tan with a black saddle, neck and cranium and red or tan face. Its head is flat and sloping, its muzzle pointed, with drop ears of the usual scent hound
Scent hound
Scent hounds are a type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight. The Scenthound breeds are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses among canines....
type. The Balkan Hound stands 17 to 21 inches (44–56 cm) in height and weighs about 44 pounds (20 kg). It is smooth-coated and coarse-haired. Described as pleasant natured and obedient, the breed is thought to descend from dogs left in the Balkan region by the Phoenicians in ancient times.
The FCI
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale is an international federation of kennel clubs based in Thuin, Belgium. The English language translation, World Canine Organisation, is not often used.Its goals are described in Article 2 of their regulations:...
changed its official designation of this breed to the Serbian Hound in 1996.
The Serbian Hound is a very kind breed of dog, forming bonds with its family and owners. It is a lively breed and loves to walk and play with loved ones. The Serbian Hound is a very good worker with a tenacious nature that will not let it give up until it finds its quarry.
History
The Serbian Hound is one of a group of scent hounds that spread throughout the Balkans. The first record of the Balkan Hound comes from the 11th century where a man called Frank Laska described the breed in detail, along with other scenthounds of that time.The Balkan Hound has been a permanent fixture in the Balkans throughout history with the first standard written for the breed in 1924; however, it was not until 1940 that the Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Fédération Cynologique Internationale is an international federation of kennel clubs based in Thuin, Belgium. The English language translation, World Canine Organisation, is not often used.Its goals are described in Article 2 of their regulations:...
accepted the standard which had been accepted elsewhere. The Balkan Hound was spread most widely through Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
and, at a FCI meeting in 1996, it was decided to officially change the name to the Serbian Hound.
Today, the Serbian Hound can be seen throughout its native country, but remains very rare in other lands.
Also called the black and tan.
Standard
Country of origin: SerbiaSerbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
Height (at withers/shoulder):
Males: 46–56 cm/18–22 in;
Females: 44–54 cm/17½–21½ in
Weight: 44 lb/20 kg
Coat: Hair is short, abundant, gleaming and quite thick, lying well all over the body. The undercoat is quite well developed. Hair is slightly longer over the back of the thighs and the underside of the tail.
Colour: Red going from yellowy red to a rust tone, with a black mantle or saddle. The mantel or saddle goes as far as the head, which shows black marks on either side of the temples.
Markings: A round white mark no longer than 2 cm on the chest.
Lifespan: Average 12 years.
A robust, medium-sized dog. The skull is slightly rounded with a well-developed muzzle and a nose that is always black. The eyes are oval and slanting with dark irises. Ears are set high and of medium length and width; they are carried hanging down and close to the cheeks. The neck is strong and slightly arched. The body is slightly oblong, with a back that is well-muscled, long and powerful. The tail is slightly curved up and is carried below the line of the back, covered in abundant hair. Forequarters are powerful, well-muscled and parallel with muscular shoulder blades. The hindquarters are strong with well-muscled thighs.
Temperament
The Serbian Hound is a kindly breed with lively temperament which lends itself to both hunting in the field and life in the home. Tenacious, dependable, full of character and robust, this scenthound can make a good companion. Consistent and patient training required.Friendliness: Friendly
Children: Can be good with children
Trainability: Can be difficult to train
Independence: Moderate
Dominance: Can be dominant if allowed to be
Decorum: May chase other pets
Combativeness: Can be good if sufficiently socialised with other dogs
Noise: Average barker
See also
- Hunting dogHunting dogA hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs...
- HoundHoundA hound is a type of dog that assists hunters by tracking or chasing the animal being hunted. It can be contrasted with the gun dog, which assists hunters by identifying the location of prey, and with the retriever, which recovers shot quarry...
- ŠarplaninacŠarplaninacThe Šarplaninac or Šarplaninec , also known as Sharplaninac/Sharplaninec, Illyrian Shepherd Dog or Yugoslav Shepherd Dog-Šarplanina is a dog breed of the livestock guardian type originally from Serbia and Macedonia.- Appearance :The...
- Scenthound GroupScenthound GroupScenthound Group is the name of a breed Group of dogs, used by kennel clubs to classify a defined collection of dog breeds. Dogs listed in a kennel club's Scenthound Group may not all be of the same type of dog.- Scenthound type :...
- Scent houndScent houndScent hounds are a type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight. The Scenthound breeds are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses among canines....
- Serbian Tricolour HoundSerbian Tricolour HoundThe ' is a breed of dog of the hound type. Formerly called the , the name was changed for clarity after the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991. The breed was first exhibited at shows in 1950...
- Montenegrin Mountain Hound
External links
- Serbian Hound (Revised July 1, 2009) at the United Kennel ClubUnited Kennel ClubThe United Kennel Club is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. According to the website, the club records 250,000 registrations annually. The UKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération...
site - Brief Documentary on Serbian Hound