Polish Hunting Dog
- Origin
- Poland
- Type
- Scenthound
- Size
- Medium
- Height
- 50–59 cm (20–23 in)
- Weight
- 22–26 kg (49–57 lb)
- Coat
- Short
- Colors
- Black and tan, brown and tan, or red
- Life span
- 10–13 years
- Status
- Recognised by the FCI and The Kennel Club; rare
The Polish Hunting Dog, known in Poland as the Gończy Polski, is a rare scenthound native to Poland. It is a medium-sized dog, usually black and tan, bred to pursue and track large game.
History
Dogs have been used for hunting in Poland for centuries, and writings on the subject go back to the 12th century. Two hounds stand out in that tradition: the Ogar Polski and the Gończy Polski. They are similar, and the Gończy Polski is the smaller of the two. It was used mostly in the mountains and rough country of eastern Poland, where its energy and agility suited the ground.
The breed came close to extinction after the Second World War, and became known in the West only after the fall of Communism. Józef Pawlusiewicz, a well-known Polish cynologist who hunted with these hounds and bred them, played a key part in having the breed registered by the Polish kennel club.
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized the Gończy Polski in 2017, making it the fifth Polish breed to be accepted. The Kennel Club in Britain recognized it on April 1, 2024.
In 2015 there were 1,342 dogs registered in Poland, 432 of them approved for breeding. The breed has low genetic variation, and unless the population grows it is at risk of inbreeding.
Appearance
Males stand 55 to 59 cm (22 to 23 in) and females 50 to 55 cm (20 to 22 in). The weight is 22 to 26 kg (49 to 57 lb). The dog is sturdy and athletic, with a short coat that is black and tan, brown and tan, or red.
Temperament
The Polish Hunting Dog is brave and capable. It is not aggressive, but it is wary of strangers. It has a loud bark, usually higher in pitch in females. With its family it is affectionate, and it gets along with children and other pets when it has been properly socialized, though it may prefer to be the only pet unless raised with others. It responds well to training but tends to be dominant, so it needs confident handling.
Care and health
This is an active hound that needs plenty of exercise. Its coat takes very little grooming. It lives 10 to 13 years.
Litters are fairly large, averaging 7.2 puppies and ranging from four to nine.
Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.