Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound Basics

Known for his wiry coat and hunting ability, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a scent hound that was developed in Croatia. This is not one of the most common breeds you are likely to come across but if you get a chance to see him in the field, you’ll be impressed by his stamina and determination. He may not make the best family pet, but the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a talented hunter.

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a scent hound that was developed in Croatia.

Origin

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a type of scent hound developed in Croatia during the mid-19th century for the purpose of hunting rabbit and fox. Developed by crossing the French Griffon Vendeen with the Istrian Short-Haired Hound, this breed inherited its hunting abilities from the latter and its wiry coat from the former. The breed first appeared in competition in 1866 in Vienna, though it is still primarily kept as a hunting dog to this day.

Pedigree

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a hunting breed developed in Croatia – it was developed by crossing the French Griffon Vendeen with the Istrian Short-Haired Hound.

Food/Diet

As a medium-breed dog, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound should be fed a high-quality dry food formulated for medium-sized breeds. The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is also a very active hunting breed, so he may respond well to an active or working breed formula. You still need to be careful about overfeeding, however, to prevent obesity.

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is an intelligent dog which usually means a dog will be easy to train.

Training

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is an intelligent dog which usually means a dog will be easy to train. However, in the case of this breed, it lends itself to stubbornness or willfulness. This breed is not recommended for inexperienced dog owners and they really need to be used for hunting. These dogs can be tamed with a firm and consistent hand with positive reinforcement training, but you’ll always need to be an authoritative leader for the dog. Socialization is also extremely important for this dog, especially if he is going to be kept in a home with children or other pets. This dog’s primary skill is for hunting but he may also do well in dog sports like agility and competitive obedience.

Weight

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a medium-sized dog, standing 17 to 23 inches tall and weighing anywhere from 25 to 56 pounds at maturity.

Temperament/Behavior

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound was developed as a hunting breed and it is still kept primarily for hunting today. As such, this breed tends to be fairly stubborn and willful which means that he may be a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. In addition to being a poor companion pet, these dogs also tend not to get along well with children and they are likely to chase cats and other household pets. If you do keep this dog in a house with children or other pets, be sure to supervise all interactions. This breeds tends to bond closely with one family member and can be very loyal, though he may not be as affectionate as other dogs that are bred for companionship.

Common Health Problems

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound has no specific health problems that are known to affect the breed but, as a hunting dog, he is prone to field injuries. As a medium-sized dog, this breed may also be prone to musculoskeletal issues and his large, floppy ears may increase his risk for ear infections.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is 12 to 15 years which is on-par with other breeds of his size.

Exercise Requirements

As a hunting breed, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound has fairly high needs for exercise. These dogs are not intended to be kept as house pets and a daily walk may not be enough to satisfy his needs for exercise. In addition to a daily walk, these dogs need plenty of outdoor space in which to run and play.

He may not make the best family pet, but the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a talented hunter.

AKC

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is not currently recognized by the AKC. It is, however, recognized by the UKC and the FCI. This breed is classified in Group 6 with other scent hounds by the FCI – it is also grouped as a scent hound by the UKC.

Coat

As is true for many hunting breeds, the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound’s coat is wiry in texture – this helps to protect the dog from wind and weather. This breed has a double coat with a wooly undercoat and long topcoat that grows 2 to 3 inches long. The primary color for this breed is solid white with orange or yellow markings, particularly on the ears. This breed does not have high grooming requirements, though brushing several times a week will help to control shedding.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is 4 to 8 puppies. As is true for many breeds, early socialization and training is very important for this breed. If you plan to use your Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound for hunting, you need to start working with him right away. Socialization is particularly important if this dog will be working with other dogs in the field or if he is to be kept in a home with children or other pets.

Photo credit: Croatian Kennel Club