There are two types of Istrian Hounds: the Istrian Coarse-haired Hound and the Istrian Shorthaired Hound. The shorthaired hound is the older of the two variants, believed to have an origin as far back as the late 15th century. However, the exact time of origin is yet to be substantiated. The coarse-haired variant is actually the result of crossing the shorthaired hound with the French Griffon Vendeen—a small, short-legged hound with a rough fur coat—in the mid-19th century. The Istrian Coarse-haired Hound debuted at a breed show in Vienna in 1866. Istrian Hounds consist of two dog breeds developed in Croatia for hunting rabbits and foxes. The dogs are named after Istria: a peninsula in the Adriatic Sea that Croatia shares with two other Eastern European nations, and which is cited as their exact point of origin. Istrian Hounds are believed to be the oldest hound breed in the Balkan region.
Istrian Hounds with coarse hair usually stand at 17 to 23 inches at the withers (which consists of the ridge between the shoulder blades and is the tallest point on the dog). The weight range of the Istrian Coarse-haired Hound is around 25 to 56 pounds. Its main characteristic—the rough, wiry coat—is designed for great resistance against the weather elements. It consists of a topcoat, which is around 2 to 3 inches long; and a woolly undercoat. The coat’s color is white marked with yellow or orange, particularly at its broad and flat ears. With a height of around 19 to 20 inches at the withers and a weight estimated at 40 pounds, the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is slightly smaller than its coarse-haired counterpart. The coat of this dog is smooth, glossy, and hard—with the short hairs that characterizes the breed. The coat is white, with orange patches scattered sporadically. The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is also notable for muscled build, long legs, and long tail: physical traits common on hounds in general. The head of this Istrian Hound is fairly flat and broad, with short triangular drop ears flanking it.
Personality
Although some people keep Istrian Hounds as pets, they are still most commonly used as hunting dogs. Istrian Hounds are classified as scent hounds—so named because they use scent, rather than sight, as their primary tool for hunting. In fact, scent hounds are known to possess some of the most sensitive noses among canines. When hunting, Istrian Hounds are described as enthusiastic and vibrant; otherwise they are generally calm and docile.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 – 15 years |
| Nicknames: | Istrian Coarse-haired Hound (Istrian Rough-coated Hound), Istrian Shorthaired Hound (Istarski Kratkodlaki Gonic) |
Istrian Hounds Build Information
Istrian Hounds with coarse hair usually stand at 17 to 23 inches at the withers (which consists of the ridge between the shoulder blades and is the tallest point on the dog). The weight range of the Istrian Coarse-haired Hound is around 25 to 56 pounds. Its main characteristic—the rough, wiry coat—is designed for great resistance against the weather elements. It consists of a topcoat, which is around 2 to 3 inches long; and a woolly undercoat. The coat’s color is white marked with yellow or orange, particularly at its broad and flat ears. With a height of around 19 to 20 inches at the withers and a weight estimated at 40 pounds, the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is slightly smaller than its coarse-haired counterpart. The coat of this dog is smooth, glossy, and hard—with the short hairs that characterizes the breed. The coat is white, with orange patches scattered sporadically. The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is also notable for muscled build, long legs, and long tail: physical traits common on hounds in general. The head of this Istrian Hound is fairly flat and broad, with short triangular drop ears flanking it.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Although some people keep Istrian Hounds as pets, they are still most commonly used as hunting dogs. Istrian Hounds are classified as scent hounds—so named because they use scent, rather than sight, as their primary tool for hunting. In fact, scent hounds are known to possess some of the most sensitive noses among canines. When hunting, Istrian Hounds are described as enthusiastic and vibrant; otherwise they are generally calm and docile.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
Istrian Hounds don’t require much grooming, they shed little and only need to be bathed when necessary.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Medium maintenance |
Istrian Hounds Common Health Conditions
Istrian Hounds do not typically experience any major health issues. However, since they are part of a hunting-oriented breed, they need regular physical activity or exercise to maintain good health and discourage boredom or naughty behavior. Moreover, Istrian Hounds are not exempt from regular check-ups at the veterinarian’s office, which is recommended for all dogs.
Istrian Hounds 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
The Istrian Hound is developed in Istria, Croatia. Istrian Hounds are primarily bred for hunting and can be more challenging to train than many other dog breeds.
| Training: | Moderately easy |
