Primarily used for hunting, the Transylvanian Hound is named after Transylvania in central Romania. However, the dog breed actually hails from Romania's neighbor, Hungary. Today, the Transylvanian Hound is considered a rare breed, with less than a hundred of them remaining in the two aforementioned countries. The Transylvanian Hound traces its origin to the 9th century, when the Hungarians—then known as the Magyars—crossed their hounds with the ones living in the countries they invaded. Within the next few centuries, well into the Middle Ages, the resulting breed became a favorite of Hungarian kings and princes. Royal personages used the dog for hunting a variety of game that included foxes and boar. Due to the variance of terrain in the area—with mountains, rivers, and meadows—two varieties of the Transylvanian Hound emerged: a short-legged one and a long-legged one. By the beginning 20th century, however, the short-legged one had gone extinct, with its long-legged counterpart revived beginning in 1968.
The Transylvanian Hound has a shiny short-haired coat that is dense and flat, but is coarse to the touch; it comes with an undercoat. The coat usually has a tri-color scheme, with black, brown, and white being the main colors. There are usually white markings on the head, neck, legs, chest, and tip of the tail; and brown goes on the legs, muzzle, and eyebrows. Notably, an excessive amount of white is considered undesirable. The head is long without being pointed, and it features a wide and black nose, medium-sized almond-shaped eyes, and ears that are set medium high and hang close to the cheeks. Slight folds exist on the neck, which is muscular and of medium length. The Transylvanian Hound is usually around 18 to 21 inches (46 to 53 centimeters) in height and weighs around 66 to 77 pounds (30 to 35 kilograms).
Personality
Although possessing a quiet demeanor, the Transylvanian Hound is very friendly and polite to humans and other dogs. Also, due to its hunting pedigree, it has great courage and independent sense of direction; it ferociously protects its immediate territory with an intimidating bark and growl aimed at strangers. The dog breed treasures constant companionship with its owner.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 12 years |
| Nicknames: | Erdelyi Kopo, Transylvanian Bloodhound, Hungarian Hound, Transylvanian Scenthound |
Translvanian Hound Build Information
The Transylvanian Hound has a shiny short-haired coat that is dense and flat, but is coarse to the touch; it comes with an undercoat. The coat usually has a tri-color scheme, with black, brown, and white being the main colors. There are usually white markings on the head, neck, legs, chest, and tip of the tail; and brown goes on the legs, muzzle, and eyebrows. Notably, an excessive amount of white is considered undesirable. The head is long without being pointed, and it features a wide and black nose, medium-sized almond-shaped eyes, and ears that are set medium high and hang close to the cheeks. Slight folds exist on the neck, which is muscular and of medium length. The Transylvanian Hound is usually around 18 to 21 inches (46 to 53 centimeters) in height and weighs around 66 to 77 pounds (30 to 35 kilograms).
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Although possessing a quiet demeanor, the Transylvanian Hound is very friendly and polite to humans and other dogs. Also, due to its hunting pedigree, it has great courage and independent sense of direction; it ferociously protects its immediate territory with an intimidating bark and growl aimed at strangers. The dog breed treasures constant companionship with its owner.
| Activity Level: | Moderately active |
| Affection Level: | Moderately affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
The Transylvanian Hound does not need a lot of grooming. However, brushing and combing once in a while keeps it neat and presentable.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low maintenance |
Translvanian Hound Common Health Conditions
The Transylvanian Hound does not have any major or peculiar health issues.
Translvanian 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
The Transylvanian Hound goes by several other names, which include Erdelyi Kopo, Transylvanian Bloodhound, Hungarian Hound, and Transylvanian Scenthound. The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the dog breed in 2006. The UKC classifies the dog as a scenthound, meaning that it hunts by scent. The dog breed is known to live to around 10 to 12 years.
| Training: | Easy to train |