Records of hunting dogs in the area that is now Bosnia and Herzegovina date back to 411 B.C. In the late 19th century, local breeders crossed descendants of these hunting hounds with Italian gun dogs to produce the Bosnian coarse-haired hound. Today, this distinctive hound is uncommon outside of its area of origin. Due to the longstanding political and military conflicts in the region, the future of the breed is uncertain. Other names for the Bosnian coarse-haired hound include the following: Bosnian hound, Barak, Bosnian rough-haired hound, Bosnian broken-haired hound, Bosnian broken-coated hound, Bosnian coarse-coated hound, Bosnian rough-coated hound, Illyrian hound, and Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic.
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound is a medium-sized hound. The average member of the breed is between 18 and 22 inches tall and weighs between 35 and 52 pounds. The dog is stocky with a muscular body, a deep chest and thick legs. It has a short head with a rectangular muzzle and pendulous ears. The dog’s eyes are large and brown, and the hair on the dog’s face forms eyebrows and a beard. A double coat consisting of a coarse, shaggy outercoat and a short, dense undercoat is the breed’s defining characteristic. Coat colors include yellow, gray and black.
Personality
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound is used almost exclusively as a hunting dog and watchdog. Its persistence, intelligence and excellent sense of smell make it a very effective hunter, and its distinctive bark and tireless watchfulness make it an excellent guard dog. Because the dog tends to form strong bonds with its owner and is gentle with children, it also makes a good companion when properly trained and socialized. Because of the Bosnian coarse-haired hound’s strong hunting instinct, however, it may not be an appropriate breed for households with existing cats, small dogs and other small house pets. Bosnian hounds have high energy levels and are capable of tracking prey for hours at a time. Because of their deep energy reserves, these dogs need an hour or more of vigorous activity each day. Without sufficient activity, Bosnian hounds tend to become destructive, excitable and vocal. Because the dogs were bred to bay on the trail, they have loud voices, so excessive barking can be a problem.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 – 15 years |
| Nicknames: | Bosnian hound, Barak, Bosnian rough-haired hound, Bosnian broken-haired hound, Bosnian broken-coated hound, Bosnian coarse-coated hound, Bosnian rough-coated hound, Illyrian hound, Bosanski Ostrodlaki Gonic |
Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound Build Information
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound is a medium-sized hound. The average member of the breed is between 18 and 22 inches tall and weighs between 35 and 52 pounds. The dog is stocky with a muscular body, a deep chest and thick legs. It has a short head with a rectangular muzzle and pendulous ears. The dog’s eyes are large and brown, and the hair on the dog’s face forms eyebrows and a beard. A double coat consisting of a coarse, shaggy outercoat and a short, dense undercoat is the breed’s defining characteristic. Coat colors include yellow, gray and black.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound is used almost exclusively as a hunting dog and watchdog. Its persistence, intelligence and excellent sense of smell make it a very effective hunter, and its distinctive bark and tireless watchfulness make it an excellent guard dog. Because the dog tends to form strong bonds with its owner and is gentle with children, it also makes a good companion when properly trained and socialized. Because of the Bosnian coarse-haired hound’s strong hunting instinct, however, it may not be an appropriate breed for households with existing cats, small dogs and other small house pets. Bosnian hounds have high energy levels and are capable of tracking prey for hours at a time. Because of their deep energy reserves, these dogs need an hour or more of vigorous activity each day. Without sufficient activity, Bosnian hounds tend to become destructive, excitable and vocal. Because the dogs were bred to bay on the trail, they have loud voices, so excessive barking can be a problem.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound’s coat does not require a significant amount of maintenance, but periodic brushing is recommended to minimize shedding. Like all dogs, the Bosnian hound also benefits from regular nail trims, dental care and ear cleaning.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Moderate |
Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound Common Health Conditions
The Bosnian coarse-haired hound is a rare breed, so no specific health issues have been reported.
Bosnian Coarse Haired Hound Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Some of the most important facts to remember about the Bosnian coarse-haired hound include the following: Rare outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the surrounding countries. Working dog used for hunting and guard duty. Extremely active, intelligent and stubborn dog breed. The Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound has a shaggy, rugged coat.
| Training: | Moderately easy |
