Istrian Coarse-haired Hound
- Origin
- Croatia
- Type
- Scenthound
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 43–60 cm (17–24 in)
- Weight
- 12–27 kg (26–60 lb)
- Coat
- Wiry, weather-resistant topcoat with a woolly undercoat
- Colors
- White with yellow or orange markings
- Status
- Recognised by the FCI
The Istrian Coarse-haired Hound is a rough-coated scenthound from Croatia. It is still kept first of all as a hunting dog, and seldom as a pet.
History
The name points to Istria, but the breed also took shape in the Croatian Littoral, Dalmatia, Gorski Kotar and Lika. It first appeared at a dog show in Vienna in 1866.
Where the breed belongs has been disputed since the 1960s, with both Croatia and Slovenia laying claim to it. In 2003 the FCI recognised it as a breed of Croatian origin.
Appearance
Because these hounds are bred for the hunt, more weight is put on how they work than on how they look, and size varies a good deal. A dog may weigh anywhere from 12 to 27 kg (26 to 60 lb) and stand 43 to 60 cm (17 to 24 in) at the withers.
The wiry coat keeps out the weather. The topcoat is 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) long, over a woolly undercoat. The color is white with yellow or orange markings, usually on the ears. The ears are broad and hang flat, and the long tail is carried up and curves inward.
Temperament
Bred to hunt and not to be a companion, the Istrian Coarse-haired Hound tends to be willful, and is harder to train than many other breeds.
Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.