Serbian Hound

The Serbian Hound is a medium-sized scent hound from Serbia, known until 1996 as the Balkan Hound. It is traditionally kept in packs and hunts wild boar, deer, fox and hare.

History

South East Europe has a long hunting tradition, and the Serbian Hound is one of several regional hounds bred to suit it. The breed is centuries old. It is believed to be a blend of hounds that were traded around the Mediterranean, with European and North African dogs both in its ancestry. In 1996 the FCI officially changed the breed’s name from Balkan Hound to Serbian Hound.

Appearance

The standard calls for males of 46–56 cm and slightly smaller females of 44–54 cm. The dogs typically weigh around 20 kg. The coat is short and dense, in a distinctive reddish tan often described as fox colored, with a large black saddle and black markings above the eyes. The skull is broad and narrows evenly to the nose, and the ears are of medium length and hang down. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a broad, straight back and a tail that is straight or slightly curved.

Temperament

The Serbian Hound is described as well disciplined, energetic, tenacious and lively. It both tracks game and catches it, and has a distinctive high-pitched voice when hunting. The breed is known for great stamina and for its ability to hunt over difficult terrain.

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