The Picardy Spaniel

The Picardy Spaniel was created by combining French Spaniels with setters, particularly English and Gordon. The first club for the breed (alongside with the breed’s cousin, the Blue Picardy) was formed in 1921. Still rare in most of the world (only about 3,000 exist), this French breed was said to have been created “by hunters, for hunters”. Working closely with his owner, this adaptive gun dog lives to hunt, and does so equally well both on land and in the water. It is a very versatile breed, able to point retrieve and track with the best of them – utilizing a no-nonsense attitude while he does so. Despite the name, Picardy Spaniels are not actually spaniels at all, but rather HPR gun dogs (standing for Hunt, Point and Retrieve).

The coat of the Picardy is dense, medium in length and with a slightly harsh texture to it. The coat can be either completely straight or with a bit of a wave to it, with some individual dogs having coats that are almost curly. The color pattern is one of the distinctive physical features of the breed, always gray mottled with brown patches and tan markings on the head and legs. This coat helps to keep them protected from brush and also serves to keep them somewhat warm although this doesn’t mean that they can be kept outside in freezing temperatures for long periods of time. Make sure to provide him with a soft warm bed when he comes back inside and he’ll be happy.

In order to do his job, the Picardy Spaniel needed to possess an attitude that would “get the work done” no matter the circumstances in his way. This means that he can occasionally be stubborn and hard-headed. While easy to train for field work, when it comes to obedience training be prepared to be just as stubborn as the dog! As long as an owner/trainer doesn’t give in easily and utilizes plenty of rewards and social engagement/praise, this breed should be relatively easy to train. With some instruction, even a novice owner should be able to train a Picardy without too much trouble. Take note that this breed doesn’t do well with very high-pressure compulsive training techniques.

Picardies are calm when given enough exercise – both structured as well as unstructured (such as free running time in a large yard). The structured exercise can include long walks or even swimming which is a favorite activity of many Picardies! Don’t let his beautiful looks fool you, this is a strong and hardy breed that enjoys intense exercise. Usually quite healthy, some individuals can have eye issues such as entropian or ectropian, and the ears are more prone to infection than other breeds – but overall this is a fit and healthy dog. Average lifespan is 13-14 years.

While some are kept as kennel dogs, Picardy Spaniels are loving and easy to manage in the home, being naturally docile and content to lounge around after a nice walk. They enjoy time with their people and are fairly undemanding. Most are gentle with children although supervision is always recommended between kids and dogs. They also get along well with other dogs. Finally, their medium size further makes them a good fit for many, as long as the person or family is active. While this is a much more laid-back dog compared to other pointing breeds, he still needs to have regular vigorous exercise and doesn’t do well in lazy households. Even apartment homes can be considered as a possible match, as long as the owners are active and ready to give the dog plenty of outdoor workouts.

The Picardy is by no means a guard dog as he is far too friendly. Neither will he guard your perimeter from predators. His major talent is hunting and this he prefers to do above all else! He does need a job to do and it’s no surprise that regular hunting excursions are at the top of this breed’s list. This said, other activities or dog sports can replace hunting as a job -for the only thing that an Picardy may like more than hunting is spending time with his owners! Tending to bond closely, without regular contact with his people he can tend to develop separation anxiety.

Photo By Pleple2000

 

The Silken Windhound

The Silken Windhound is a lively, yet gentle and affectionate sighthound. Silkens were created in the United States in the 80’s in order to fulfill a”gap” that didn’t otherwise exist – a mid-sized sighthound with a soft and flowing coat. They are still a young breed, however their popularity is slowly increasing throughout the world. Although they have yet to be recognized by the AKC, they are recognized by the UKC and many kennel clubs in other countries.  These gentle hounds are unobtrusive in the home and generally easier to keep than many other sighthound breeds. Their soft, silky coat (coming in all colors) is a medium length yet is not difficult to keep up with grooming as they tend to keep themselves rather clean. They do shed, but not heavily.

Silkens can be easy to train and are intelligent companions who enjoy participating in various activities with their families. This often includes racing, lure coursing, conformation, flyball and agility, however obedience training is recommended to give the dog a basic sense of responsibilities and rules. Some Silkens work as therapy dogs or even as service dogs – and these roles in particular require a very good base in obedience. Keep in mind that they do still have keen prey drives and are apt to abandon their owner mid-training session if a small animal goes dashing by! This means a lot of off-leash proofing will be required, along with the knowledge that some dogs will never be 100% reliable if a tempting chase situation become available.

Windhounds are well-behaved and quiet house companions but do require room to run! Ideally, they should be given a fenced-in area in order to stretch their legs daily. Like their relatives in the sighthound family, they are exceptionally fast and do need an area to do this safely. A home with a fenced yard is most ideal, although in certain situations they can adapt to apartment life as long as they are given a fenced area to run regularly. A vast majority of Silkens participate in racing and/or coursing events in order to prove “they have what it takes”, before going home with their owners each night. Running is in the breed’s DNA and they love to do it! After they’ve had their daily dose of exercise, they are more than happy to lay on the couch next to their person. Their energy level is such that they have short bursts of very high energy, which then dips to low after they’ve had their exercise.

Silken Windhounds have varied personalities just like people! Some are more shy than others, others are very outgoing and affectionate. It all depends on the line and on the individual dog. Aggression, however, is rare. A male vs. female temperament doesn’t seem to make as big of a difference than some other breeds, as either way there is a wide variation. If trying to decide on a male or female, physically males tend to be bigger and have fuller coats. Most Silkens do love to play, whether with “their people” or with other dogs – they tend to get along well with everyone. This includes cats – a difficult task for many other breeds from the sighthound group! They also do well in homes with children provided the kids are calm.

Silkens are very healthy for the most part, which was one of the big considerations when the breed was being created. In fact, DNA parental marker verification in all dogs in the beginning of the breeding program meant that health could be closely monitored. This is vastly different than most breeds today, as there is an extensive “guide” that shows which dogs inherited what, and from whom. With most living well into their teens (one individual was reported living until 20 years of age), the majority do not suffer any genetic problems. This said, because nature is what it is, there are some issues that occasionally crop up, most notably MDR1 (a drug sensitivity). This condition won’t be a problem for the dog as long as certain drugs are avoided.

As might be assumed of these quiet and friendly hounds, Windhounds do not make great watchdogs. Neither are they recommended in households that are frequently loud or otherwise stressful. Despite these attributes, the breed is otherwise fairly adaptable to many situations and are even good for novice dog owners, provided their needs can be met. These social animals do need plenty of human contact and can develop separation anxiety if left alone all of the time. A calm home with access to a fenced in yard and owners who have plenty of time to spend around the dog, is the best match for this up-and-coming breed.

 

The Old Danish Pointing Dog

The Old Danish Pointing Dog is a versatile gun dog, specializing in pointing. This breed came from mixing various “farm dogs” with dogs brought to the area by gypsies. It is likely that Bloodhound ancestry contributed. Medium in height but with a bulkier build than other similar breeds, the Old Danish is strong yet agile, and has an excellent nose for tracking. Like all sporting/gun dog breeds, he requires lots of exercise as well as daily activities to keep him busy – he is very hard to tire out!

Loyal and easy to adapt into the home (with lots of exercise), the Danish Pointing Dog has a balanced, stable temperament. He is very affectionate and loving to his people which makes him a great addition into family life. He gets along well not only with children, but with other pets as well (although might be dangerous around small pocket pets or birds).  He can be calm and quiet in the home, but should be kept in a property with a large backyard rather than in an apartment setting. Also of note, this social pointer prefers to spend his time with people and can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone frequently.

The Old Danish is a fast learner and desires to please his master above all, which makes him easy to train. To keep training exciting, randomize the order of commands given to keep him on his toes! This smart dog appreciates when training is kept fun and surprising. As a gun dog, he also takes very quickly to any type of retrieval command and/or task that allows him to use his gifted nose. His hardworking nature means that he is always ready for the next task asked of him, as long as it is kept fair and not overly harsh. It is recommended to start training early for best results.

ODPs love spending time outdoors – whether it be swimming, following a scent, or participating in a hunt with their owners. They need to be given hours of exercise each day in order to stay fulfilled (and keep them from becoming destructive). Luckily grooming is easy and health care is generally simple, because this will give owners more time to focus on keeping the dog active each day! It is for this reason that hunters often make the best owners for these dogs, as they are often out in the field (or training to be out in the field), however active families or individuals can make this breed work for them if they are willing to put in the effort and time.

With strangers, the Old Danish Pointing Dog can be slightly wary at first without being aloof. Make sure to socialize early so that he doesn’t become overly fearful, however most individuals are fairly brave – especially when socialized. Luckily aggression isn’t commonly seen in the breed and most dogs remain stoically good-natured around strangers. Well-socialized and trained Old Danish dogs are capable of all sorts of social tasks – whether it be hiking in a public area or competing in spectator-heavy dog sports such as nosework, agility, frisbee or flyball competitions!

The Old Danish is usually a fairly healthy breed however hip dysplasia, eye issues and elbow dysplasia can occur. Prospective puppy owners should vet the breeder to make sure health testing is done, which will lessen the chances of issues as the puppy gets older. Most members of the breed grow up without any problems, however, and average lifespan tends to be 13-14 years.

Danish Pointing Dogs are well-known in their native Denmark but quite rare in other parts of the world. Here in the United States, they are recognized by the UKC but rarely if ever seen in this country. This is not a new or developing breed either, having been created in the early 1700’s. Although many Americans would not be able to handle the exercise requirements of this breed, plenty of active and experienced homes do exist here, and there are undoubtedly many that would love to own such a loyal and even-tempered dog… if they only knew about this well-kept secret.

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is an ancient scenthound developed in France. This breed is primarily used for working and not often seen as strictly as a companion or as solely as a show dog. Even when showing, every part of the standard is meant to emphasize a working dog that is able to do their job with ease. In the field, they are masters at tracking and have great endurance and stamina when hunting – their prey being wolves, deer and boar. This is a noble dog with a very large frame, powerful voice (read: can be loud), yet gentle and refined in temperament.

Grand Bleu de Gascognes are not guard dogs, although their size alone might be enough of a deterrent. If an intruder cannot see the dog in the home, he may be able to hear him! The Bleu is known for his melodic, yet loud voice and he uses it freely. This can be bad for those with close neighbors but great for people living in rural settings who want it to be obvious that a dog resides at the property. If a person were to break in, the dog might not actually take any action, however. While aloof with strangers, they aren’t normally the type to attack.

Like many hounds, Grand Bleus can be willful, independent and stubborn. They also have high prey drives and are prone to “forgetting” their recall when a prey animal is near. Although very affectionate and intelligent, they may take extra time to be trained. Young dogs can be quite mischievous so they need plenty of supervision and guidance for the first couple of years, in addition to regular obedience training. An owner must be very patient while the dog is maturing, expecting a certain degree of mischief while also working through it with training. For this reason, he is recommended for experienced dog people and might be a bit “too much” for a first-time dog owner.

The Grand Bleu de Gascogne does need plenty of exercise, as might be imagined from his heritage as a hunting scenthound. Two hours of walking or similar activity is the minimum required. It is highly recommended that an owner take the dog hunting on a regular basis in order to fulfill his mental and physical needs, however if this is not possible other similar activities could be substituted. Overall however, this is a dog who does best when he is given plenty of body/mind stimulation. Off-leash exercise can be best in order to let him sniff, run and hunt however this is definitely NOT recommended in a city or suburban setting. If in a populated area, the leash must stay on in order to keep him from running into a road and getting hit.

One of the key features of the Grand Bleu is the blue mottled coat – this and his very large size (he is one of the biggest scenthounds) distinguishes him from other hounds. Other distinct traits include the long muzzle and even longer pendulous ears. Luckily, despite his slightly loose lips he is not as drooly as other similar breeds. His shiny coat needs weekly grooming but overall his grooming needs are fairly minimal.

The Grand Bleu lost favor in his home country of France and is no longer popular in that country. Many had been imported into the United States and breeders here are working to preserve this ancient hound, however even in American this is considered a rare breed. One of the possible reasons for their low popularity is the fact that they are hunting dogs first and foremost, and companion dogs second. They can be more destructive and more prone to escape the yard than many other breeds. They are also slow to mature and require more patience during their early years. This said, the breed has many fantastic qualities for those who are looking for fabulous hunting and/or tracking dogs, and with the right education and exercise can make loving and noble pets.

Photo By RanchoRosco

 

The East Siberian Laika

The East Siberian Laika is the largest of the laika breeds. Used primarily for hunting, this Russian spitz breed was also utilized as a sled dog, draft dog (pulling carts or other heavy objects), and even as a drover. As such they are considered a multi-purpose breed with a specialization in hunting large and small game. They were bred to withstand the often-harsh climates and terrain of Siberia, so they are a hardy breed. Friendly and even-tempered in nature, they can make good companions in the right home as well. They will form very strong bonds with their owners and are naturally protective to those whom they consider “part of their pack”.

East Siberian Laikas can make excellent watchdogs and some can even function as guard dogs. These that do often take this role very seriously. It is vital that an East Siberian is socialized extensively while young so that he can distinguish between friend and foe, and won’t become a liability. For a dog that usually lives about 13-15 years, it can save a lot of future stress to make sure the first 6 months (minimum) of the dog’s life is filled with many socializing opportunities!

The East Siberian is a medium to large dog (normally 40-50 pounds) with a square outline. The coat is fairly short but thick and protective, and comes in a number of colors including pepper/salt, gray, red, white, black and brown. These colors can be solid or combined with eachother into any pattern. Like most spitz breeds, the tail is curled up and over the back, and the ears are pricked. There is some variation of ear size, tail carriage and other traits in the breed due to the fact that early breeders utilized a variety of different types early on, but for the most part East Siberians can be differentiated from other similar breeds. Keep in mind that he does shed quite profusely and will need to be brushed regularly!

East Siberian Laikas are territorial and not apt to get along with strange dogs that wander onto their property. Many also have problems with other dogs (especially of the same sex), whether or not on their turf. Because of a high prey drive, they also don’t do well in homes with cats or small pocket pets that are often let out of the cage. With children, many can co-exist peacefully although may not tolerate rude behavior from very young kids. As such they shouldn’t live in homes with toddler-age children. In general, this breed is normally recommended only for experienced dog owners.

When it comes to training, the East Siberian is very independent and may take a little longer to respond. He can also be somewhat stubborn and “intelligent in his own way”. This said, obedience is important and should be started young, particularly because the breed can have some dominance tendencies.  Also consider training him in other dog sports to exercise his mind and body – agility or carting are two examples of sports which he is naturally suited to. Giving him a job to do in the form of training will lessen the chances of him developing behavior problems based on boredom.

East Siberians are considered a high energy breed and do need a lot of regular exercise. Because of their low sociability towards strange dogs, a dog park is not recommended for exercise. Instead, take them out regularly for jogs or long hikes on the trail! While the backyard can be a nice place for them to run around every day, the majority of dogs don’t exercise themselves enough in a yard alone. One additional note about a yard – make sure the backyard is fully fenced so this hunting breed won’t use the neighborhood as his hunting ground! When given enough physical and mental exercise, East Siberians are calm and collected in the home.

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound was developed in the mid 19th century to hunt small game in Croatia. This scenthound, characterized by his wiry coat, is still mainly used as a hunting dog and not often kept strictly as a pet. While many breeders focus primarily on hunting ability and not on conformation, the non-hypoallergenic hair is always double-coated, rough-textured and white/orange in color. The breed is usually medium in size, with some members on the smaller side. This is usually a healthy breed with individuals often living 13-15 years – when vet bills occur they usually revolve around field injuries or ear infections.

Istrian Coarse-Haireds are known for being difficult to train because of their stubborn natures. They love to hunt and will work in the field all day with their masters but don’t always take quickly to formal obedience training. This said, without enough to occupy their time they can become destructive. Obedience is therefore a very good mental outlet for them that, while challenging, will exercise the mind. Getting the dog into a dog sport such as scentwork, hunting trials, competitive obedience and/or agility would be an even better project! These dogs are intelligent… but use their intelligence in their own way. Stay firm, yet fair and keep consistent in your training. They need strong leadership and won’t always work for wishy-washy trainers.

The ICHH is a rare breed and not readily known outside Croatia (or Slovenia – which also claims to be the country of origin). Because of their particular needs, many breeders will strongly favor a puppy-buyer who will take the dog hunting, which has also kept the numbers low in the United States. Add in the high prey drive and tendency to chase anything that moves (up to and including the family cat), and one can see that they only belong in specific homes.

The Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound is a loyal dog who forms a tight bond with those he loves, but he will take any opportunity he can to wander off and explore his surroundings. Make sure to have a securely fenced yard before bringing a member of this breed home! Also be sure to provide plenty of daily exercise to keep this active dog busy! He needs lots of physical stimulation with his family on a regular basis. His exercise needs and active lifestyle make him a poor choice for a first-time dog owner and he does better with those already experienced with scenthounds and/or hunting dogs. A home on a large property is a plus for this energetic and high-stamina fellow. Some ICHH’s suffer from separation anxiety when away from their owners for too long, particularly if they aren’t given enough things to do throughout the day, which means they do need homes in which the owner will be heavily involved.

Istrian Coarse-Haireds can be suspicious and aloof towards strangers, and many don’t like meeting new people (fun fact – they make good watchdogs but are not guard dogs). Also keep in mind that they tend to bond more strongly to one person in the family, which may or may be frustrating to those who are “left out”. They save their highest devotion for their favorite person. Finally, not all ICHH’s get along well with kids so this might not be the best pet for a young family. On the plus side, most do get along well with other dogs. They do best with single, active owners who plan to hunt and do activities with the dog in between exercise sessions. A ICHH that is fulfilled in this way will be calm and easy in the home, with a respectful and steady temperament.

Photo By Canarian

 

The Auvergne Pointer

The Auvergne Pointer, also known as the Braque d’Auvergne, is a French breed of ancient origins. Indeed, this is one of the oldest pointing breeds in the world! He is both a fantastic hunting dog as well as a great companion animal. This rare breed is well-known and respected in Europe but almost completely unfamiliar to those in the United States. This affectionate dog enjoys attention and being around his owners – both in the field and back at home. He will constantly “check in” while hunting, and likes to stay close even when in the home. The bond that develops between the Auvergne toward his person is held in the highest regard.

Quite intelligent, Auvergne Pointers take very well to training as long as it’s fair. Too much harshness can cause a member of the breed to shut down, so it’s important to build a good relationship and establish clear and fair rules during obedience training. When there is a bond with their owner/trainer, they are extremely willing to please and can make very obedient workers.

The Auvergne Pointer gets along with well-behaved dogs as well as children, whom he is gentle with. A social and friendly guy, he is a lover and not a fighter and as such does not make a good guard dog. Normally a quiet breed, this gun dog may or may not alert to someone coming to the door. If he does, he has a deep and strong voice. The bond with his humans is so tight that he can suffer from separation anxiety in homes where he is left along frequently. He may be a little guarded and aloof with new people until he gets to know them, after which point he is fine.

The Auvergne requires a great deal of daily exercise and attention. As they generally live 13-15 years, an owner must make sure they are up to this commitment before buying a puppy! This breed was bred to hunt – with a fantastic nose for tracking and plenty of stamina, meaning that they were designed to move and work. Even if they are not used for hunting, they must get a similar workout (both body and mind). Not providing this for them can result in hyperactivity, anxiety and/or destructiveness. Because of their exercise needs they are not generally recommended for apartments or city life.

The low-shedding coat of the Auvergne is short and smooth, always in a black/white pattern that can almost come across as blue in a certain light. These pointing dogs are somewhat boxy in build, with houndy faces and a generally scenthound-type look. Despite these physical attributes, this is a versatile pointing breed which can track, retrieve, swim (and obviously point) with the best of them!

There are a few health issues to be aware of with the Auvergne Pointer, including hip dysplasia and hernias. The gene pool is relatively small so prospective owners should do their research and make sure they get their puppy from a reputable breeder. When it comes to regular care, however, this is a low-maintenance breed that requires very little grooming aside from weekly brushing and taking care to keep the ears clean.

Photo By Mrsthurlow

 

The Treeing Cur

The Treeing Cur, like all cur breeds, was developed in the rural parts of America. These dogs were often owned and used by poorer folk who needed a dog that could serve many purposes (only one mouth to feed but capable of doing many jobs). Treeing Curs were used to hunt, in stock dog work, as well as to guard the home. Hunting was the most prized task and he was used both for smaller game (like squirrel and coon) as well as larger game when needed. Early breeders didn’t care what the dog looked like as long as he could do his job, and so there is a wide variation in the appearance of this breed – even more so than other cur breeds.

Speaking of variation, Treeing Curs can be any color or combination of colors, which can appear in any pattern according to the UKC. Size-wise, they can be rather small or range up to medium-sized dogs. Their tails are either long, very short, or somewhere in between. Coats are always short and smooth, and shed moderately. Grooming is an easy task as they don’t require anything more than the basics.

Treeing Curs are known to be intelligent and game for anything. This, combined with their athletic nature makes them great dogs to get into dog sports! They enjoy pleasing their owners and learning new things. This said, be aware that they can be “tough” dogs and definitely require firm rules. Those that live with zero boundaries can become overly protective or even aggressive, so they should only be owned by those who know what they are doing. These fearless and strong-willed dogs live to work, but can take over and become uncontrollable without proper knowledge. This is an independent breed who loves to work but may push to work on his own terms – don’t let him. In summary, this is a breed that must have a job and when done right, they are a joy to work with but are not for the faint-of-heart.

Treeing Curs tend to get along well with children as well as other dogs, and can make good family pets in the right setting (and in experienced homes). Keep in mind that they do bark (especially when excited or in hunting-mode) and are active, alert dogs who need plenty of tasks to do throughout their day. This is a dog who prefers to be given opportunities to hunt, and will do so enthusiastically at every opportunity! Furthermore, they need daily exercise and lots of it! Enough that will keep them moving at a brisk pace for at least an hour, if not more. This is not a dog who can live a sedentary life in a suburb with minimal attention!

Because they have been used as guard dogs, Treeing Curs make excellent protective animals for the home! This said, they must have been socialized from a young age and be given regular training and exercise so that they don’t become overly protective. This is also one of several reasons why they don’t fit in well to apartment life – lots of people walking around the property constantly can tend to rile them up. Treeing Curs are affectionate with family but suspicious of strangers – especially strangers who roam close to the home. This may also hold true for strange dogs as well. A Cur watching out the window of an apartment may become increasingly frustrated by passers-by, which would need to be addressed in the right way by an experienced owner. Easier (and less stressful for the dog) if he lived in a house with property instead.

Treeing Curs tend to be very healthy and rarely get sick. Their lifespan is normally 11-12 years. There is deafness in some lines but testing is available and should be taken advantage of both by breeders as well as future owners. Their small/medium size and general good health means that this is a relatively inexpensive breed to own and care for, however remember that any dog can suffer a random accident and it is important to have an emergency fund available for all pets, just in case.

All in all, the Treeing Cur is a playful and exuberant dog with a highly territorial nature and a strong hunting instinct. They are recommended only for people experienced both with hunting breeds as well as guarding breeds, and who have a household that can provide for the particular needs of this dog. This is not the typical “dog park buddy” or “casual socializing companion” in most instances. But he can be a great hunting companion or dog sport competitor when placed with a knowledgeable, active owner.

 

The Polish Greyhound

The Polish Greyhound, also known as the Chart Polski, is in the sighthound family. This is an ancient breed, possibly dating as far back as the twelfth century, and was a favored breed of Polish nobility. Their original purpose was to hunt primarily hare, deer, fox and birds although some were even used to hunt wolves! Unfortunately, shortly after World War two their numbers began to fall drastically however today they maintain a steady (albeit still small) following. They have been recognized by the FCI since 1989, and the UKC has more recently followed suit however they are extremely rare in the United States.

The Polish Greyhound’s smooth hard coat comes in a rainbow of colors. Although very short, it is a double coat which will grow thicker in colder temperatures, unlike the single coat of the more-familiar Greyhound. Another difference is the slightly longer brush of hair on the tail and “culottes” on the thighs. This sighthound is a show-stopper in terms of beauty – in addition to the multitude of allowable colors, the breed stands out for it’s giant size and slender body composition. While he is a bit more robust than other sighthounds, he is still considered thin when compared to “the average dog”.

Polish Greyhounds are very active yet polite and dignified in the home. They do require plenty of exercise to stay fulfilled and keep out of trouble, however! A daily jog is definitely needed, supplemented with free running time. As might be imagined this is a very fast dog with quick reflexes and ample agility – so any off-leash exercise should be limited to areas that are safely fenced! They do best with individuals or families that are somewhat more active, and ideally have a house with a large fenced yard to run in. Without enough physical stuff to do, they can develop behavior problems.

The Polish Greyhound can get along well with kids although it is always recommended to supervise interactions with younger kids (primarily to make sure the children are fair to the dog). This is a loyal family dog with a courageous streak who can become protective under the right circumstances. Aloof towards strangers and occasionally snippy towards other dogs, they prefer homes in which they can be the only dog in the household. Generally the breed is very even-tempered and trusting of his owner, but more suspicious of strange people.

It is recommended that owners of Polish Greyhounds have some dog ownership experience under their belt before acquiring a member of this breed. This is partially due to their territorial natures and protective instincts – a contrasting difference from many other sighthound breeds. Furthermore they can be more challenging with other members of their species. Early and frequent socialization with other dogs may help but ultimately the dog’s individual bloodline will play a large part in how tolerant each individual is.

The Polish Greyhound can be difficult to train, despite being an intelligent dog. This is because he was bred to hunt independently and think for himself rather than work with people. His high prey drive also means that he might never be 100% reliable when certain distractions are present (rabbits or other prey animals within his eyesight). With training, consistency is key as well as making the rules easy to understand.

Polish Greyhounds tend to be pretty healthy for the most part, although cardiomyopathy tends to run in the breed. Some lines are also more likely to bloat (a condition that seems to have both genetic as well as environmental factors). If looking to acquire a puppy, make sure to do your research and choose a responsible breeder who health tests and can tell you about the particular genetics in their lines. Average lifespan is fairly high for this giant breed, 13-15 years is not uncommon.

Photo CC BY-SA 3.0

 

The Russian-European Laika

The Russian-European Laika is a hunting spitz breed, and the smallest of the three Russian hunting spitz breeds recognized by the FCI. He was originally used for hunting and treeing game such as racoon and squirrel, but has also been used for hunting duck as well as larger game. His specialty, however, is squirrel. Like other barking spitz, he was bred to use his voice freely once game has been treed – and as such he tends to bark quite enthusiastically and frequently on a day-to-day basis as well.

The medium-sized Russian-European enjoys spending time outside and burning off energy, although he definitely needs to spend time with his owner/family as well. Suspicious of new people yet loving, friendly and affectionate toward his family, he gets along with children and can make a very nice companion in the right home. This is a loyal breed and once a bond has formed, he is dedicated to “his humans” for life – even to the point that he can be difficult to re-home. Although “iffy” with strange dogs he can get along with other dogs in the same household as long as he was raised with them.

The Russian-European Laika’s suspiciousness of strangers and territorial nature makes him a great guard dog as well, but make sure to socialize him as a puppy to prevent anxieties and fears in adulthood. It is normal for this breed to not like being touched by strangers, however not normal for them to bite unless they or their family are being provoked. A Russian-European that bites without being provoked is not typical and more likely had not been given the proper socialization as a puppy. Another note about their naturally suspicious nature – this breed doesn’t always get along with unfamiliar dogs and might not make the best candidate for dog parks.

Russian-European Laikas love to learn and definitely should be taught obedience from an early age! They need a job to do, both mentally as well as physically, and basic obedience is the building block upon which other training can be built upon. They can be easy to train when methods are kept fairly soft. Overly harsh training can cause them to shut down. Make sure to train a solid recall as a high prey drive will cause them to bolt after small prey!

Russian-Europeans have a lot of energy and endurance, requiring a good bit of exercise each day. Hunting with the dog is ideal although not always practical for every lifestyle so at very least, make sure that he gets plenty of time to run free in addition to daily walks, jogs or hikes. These smart and active dogs can become destructive if not given enough of a physical outlet. Regular exercise is an important component of his health as well. While the breed is very healthy in general, they do need to have plenty of opportunities to run around! As such, they do better in larger homes and are not the best choice for apartment-dwellers.

Although the Russian-European Laika may look very similar to the Karelian Bear Dog, if put side-by-side one can see that this breed is both shorter and slighter in build than his cousin. This makes sense, considering that one was bred with a specialization in bear and the other was created more for the purpose of small game hunting! This said, both should have a thick double coat capable of keeping them warm in the Russian outdoors. While Karelians are always black and white, the Russian-European can be gray, salt/pepper, or black with white markings (although most modern dogs are black/white).

When hunting, the Russian-European has an impeccable sense of direction and doesn’t tend to get lost. He is also excellent at tracking, both on the ground as well as using his air-scenting abilities. He is more likely to tree and/or bark at the animal rather than rush in and kill it, giving the hunter a chance to shoot. While he has been used for hunting very large game such as moose and bear, he is most in his element when hunting squirrel or other small furred game.

Photo By Canarian