The Russian Hound was created in the late 1700’s, and was frequently used to hunt alongside Borzoi in Russia. This scenthound would find and flush out the prey, and the Borzoi would then chase it down! Despite having a short coat, this hound was created to easily withstand the harsh cold of the winters and will effortlessly hunt even in thick snow! In 1925, the first official standard was created and although they are not recognized by the FCI (or the AKC for that matter), they are recognized in Russia.

The Russian Hound can make an enjoyable companion in the right home despite being bred as a hunter. The breed’s vigilant nature, great stamina and strong sense of smell means he excels in tracking and chasing game however after a good hunt he enjoys hanging out with his human family! This is a social, intelligent and loyal hound that is calm and well-behaved at home provided he is given enough exercise. Like most other scenthounds, he tends to get along swimmingly with other dogs. Take note that he is reserved around strangers and if a new person comes to the door, he may erupt into a musical cacophony of bays and howls!

Because of the high prey drive, a Russian Hound must be kept in a fenced area when off leash in any sort of suburban area to prevent the danger of being hit by a car. Once in “hunt mode”, he can be oblivious to previous training, especially if he catches the scent of something interesting! Despite the requirement of a fence, this breed absolutely must be given plenty of exercise outside of the yard (on leash, please)! An hour a day should be considered the minimum for this athletic, energetic hound. Hiking can be a wonderful source of exercise, but a daily long walk supplemented with playtime in the backyard will do just fine as well.

The Russian Hound is a large breed. The coat is short, thick and rough to the touch with a well-developed undercoat. The main colors include crimson, fawn, wolf, and black/tan – all with or without small white markings. The breed lives an average of 10-12 years and along with being easy to care for in terms of grooming, is also usually quite healthy. This said, large breeds are more prone to developing orthopedic issues which means it’s important to keep them from becoming overweight. Yet another reason for maintaining a good exercise routine!

Although very smart, the Russian Hound can also be stubborn to train. Having high determination is a helpful trait for hunting, but makes things tricky when it comes to teaching the dog obedience. Training sessions should be made to be fun and novel, and the average duration of each session should be kept somewhat short to prevent him from getting bored. As this hound adores affection from his owner, plenty of praise (along with treats and games) can make training enjoyable.

Photo By Steve369

The Russian Harlequin Hound is seen almost exclusively in Russia and was originally created to track and hunt “red game” – i.e. fox and wolves. The breed was developed in the 1900’s by crossing the Russian Hound with the English Foxhound (and perhaps adding in some French scenthounds as well). The breed was originally known as the Anglo-Russian Hound at the time and the first standard was written in 1925. This hound has a high prey drive towards small animals, meaning cats and similar will be seen as prey, although he is social and friendly towards people and other dogs. Like many scenthounds, he is equally good with children as he enjoys humans of all shapes and sizes. Finally, he is very loyal and is actually more affectionate with people than many other breeds of pack-hunting scenthounds.

Harlequins have high energy levels and loud voices – two traits that make them a bad choice for apartment-dwellers. In fact, they require more exercise than a majority of dog breeds with most Harlequins needing a minimum of two hours a day! This is a high-endurance breed that has the stamina to run for hours, meaning that exercise must be intense enough to allow them a good workout every day. In addition to regular jogs, walks and/or other structured activities, a large fenced yard can provide them time to stretch their legs on their own as well.

Russian Harlequins are smart and need plenty of mental stimulation to be happy. They have the potential to learn quickly when taught by experienced owners, although have such a high independent streak that novice owners will likely have trouble. They require someone that knows how to be firm yet fair, and knowledge as to how to make the training process exciting and positive. They can be taught to compete in many different dog sports such as obedience, rally, agility, tracking or canicross although they will obviously excel the most in hunting trials! The biggest pitfall for the breed when it comes to training is their extreme prey drive, which can make them difficult to train around animal distractions. As such, off-leash training will likely be a long and difficult process when such distractions are involved.

The Harlequin Hound is a large breed with a strong, muscular build. His boxy body is slightly elongated, ending with a saber-shaped tail frequently carried high. The hanging ears are slightly rounded at the ends, and frame the rectangular houndy muzzle. The most frequent color is tricolor, although hounds may also be red/white. The coat is smooth, thick and rough to the touch, and requires very little grooming. Giving him the occasional bath when he gets dirty as well as providing a weekly brushing session will help to keep the coat in shiny, healthy condition. Make sure to also clean the ears regularly as hanging ears are more prone to buildup, and inspect the skin regularly for parasites or small cuts caused by backyard hunting activities.

Russian Harlequin Hounds are usually healthy as a breed although there are a few ailments which they are more prone to. Hip dysplasia, bloat, allergies and cancer are all known to appear in certain lines which means that a prospective owner should be prepared to seek out reputable breeders that health test their dogs and know their lines. Because this breed is not recognized by the AKC, those from the United States may have a more difficult time finding a breeder and will very likely have to invest in a Russian translator and/or travel to Russia in order to inquire about litters. For those who are up to the task – they will be rewarded with a top-notch hunting dog with an enthusiastic and affectionate nature!

Photo By Canarian

The Lithuanian Hound is a rare scenthound breed recognized only by the Lithuanian Kennel Club. They are, in fact, the only native breed to Lithuania! Bred to hunt hare, wild boar and fox they are thought to be the result of mixing Bloodhounds with Polish Hounds, Beagles and Russian Hounds hundreds of years ago. While at one time very popular in their home country, unfortunately numbers dropped drastically after World War 2  and only 78 individuals were said to be recorded at that time. Thankfully there was enough interest in the breed for fanciers and breeders to keep them alive and in 1966 the first official standard was written. Despite best efforts however, numbers are still low enough that inbreeding is a concern among fanciers.

Lithuanians are always black and tan in color, with a smooth coat. They are large, muscular and robust with “solid and massive bone structure”. The hanging ears are triangular in shape with rounded ends. The neck is muscular and without folds or wrinkles, and holds the wedge-shaped head upright. The muzzle is slightly short. The eyes are dark, oval and set deep in the skull. Teeth are large and meet in a scissor bite. It is very important in the standard that all teeth be present. The long tail is thick at the base and slowly thins as it reaches the end, like a sword. Normally held low, when the hound’s mood rises so does the tail!

The Lithuanian Hound is a determined hunter and when he sees his prey he’ll race after it with much enthusiasm – likely baying the entire time! After the hunt is over however, and he is safely back at home, he is easygoing and pleasant to live with as long as his needs are met. Like many scenthounds he needs plenty of vigorous exercise every day such as running alongside a bike, in combination with regular opportunities to run in a fenced area. A short walk is definitely not enough! If he isn’t exercised adequately he can become destructive and frustrating to live with. Keep in mind this active breed lives an average of 12-14 years and will need regular exercise throughout the majority of his life. It goes without saying but this is not an apartment-friendly breed, and a small house without a yard would not be a great fit either.

While Lithuanians are aloof and occasionally even aggressive around strangers, they form close attachments with their owners and develop deep social bonds. They get along well with older children and other dogs. Small kids may be too easily knocked over so they aren’t the best match. Household cats are also a no-go, as this breed is too hardwired to give chase to small, furry animals. Many of these hounds can become great watchdogs, alerting their people to the presence of unfamiliar visitors on the property.

Lithuanians Hounds like to please their owners and tend to learn quickly but are too prey-driven to be completely trusted off-leash unless given extensive training. For the average household it is best to keep them in a fenced area or safely on lead so that they don’t go running after the first small animal they see or sniff. It is recommended while training that the owner be firm, yet fair and utilize lots of short sessions throughout the day rather than one long “boring” lesson. Make training fun and you’ll both have a great time!

Although very social and people-driven, the Lithuanian isn’t prone to separation anxiety. He is also easy to care for as far as grooming, with a weekly brush being sufficient to keep his coat shiny. He does shed twice a year but his coat is so short it is barely noticeable, especially if he is getting brushed regularly. He only needs a bath every 6-8 weeks as long as he hasn’t dived into a mud puddle while hunting in the yard. General upkeep would be easy if it weren’t for the substantial exercise requirements, which means that a prospective owner must be ready to face that challenge head-on.

The Brazilian Tracker was originally recognized by the FCI in 1967 and was bred to hunt wild pigs and jaguars. Unfortunately, not long after they were created, almost all members of the breed died from an outbreak of disease. Those that weren’t killed by disease instead tragically succumbed to death via excess insecticide from a negligent farm worker. How did these two events wipe out almost the entire bloodline? The Tracker was only being bred by one man at the time, meaning most dogs were on his property when these happenings occurred. Not willing to give up, fanciers of this large scenthound formed the Rastreador Brasileiro Breed Improvement Group in an effort to recreate them, and successfully did so! The breed was re-recognized by the Brazilian Kennel Club in 2013.

Like many hounds, the Tracker can be obstinate and independent (meaning difficult to train) but ultimately is good-natured and docile. Although not overly-affectionate, he forms a strong bond with his human family despite the fact that he has always been bred as a hunting dog rather than as a pet. While he can make a fine companion for the right person, prospective owners should be prepared for his extremely high prey drive, stubborn nature and high energy. He needs to be able to run and exercise excessively every day or he’ll become bored and develop problematic behaviors. Furthermore he needs a job to do. If he’s not used as a hunting dog, a similar activity must be substituted.

Brazilian Trackers are big into digging and even bigger into chasing small animals! This holds true with both wild animals such as squirrels, as well as domesticated pets. He would make a horrible companion for a cat! His high energy level also means he’s likely to bowl over toddlers and younger kids. He would be better in a home with older children or no children at all. He is friendly but has a hard time controlling his energy, which means he also isn’t a good match for senior citizens. He does get along very well with other dogs, however, and can work/hunt easily in a large pack without showing aggression.

The Tracker tends to live 11-13 years. Because the recreation of the breed is relatively new, there is not a lot of health information at this time.

The Brazilian Tracker is a beautiful dog! One of the most striking of his physical features is the wonderful array of color patterns he is allowed to come in. Patterns include blue mottled, tricolor, or bicolor (which can include white/fawn, white/black or black/fawn) – and any of these patterns can appear with additional fawn markings on the head or body. The coat itself is smooth and dense, is low-shedding, and requires very little grooming. His general appearance shows similarities to the various coonhound breeds in his ancestry, including a long muzzle and long hanging ears.

Photo By Gilson MACEDO

The Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hound is a pack-hunting scenthound breed, and the last of the seven Anglo-French Hounds to be profiled in this blog. Created by mixing Poitevins with English Foxhounds, they were bred to hunt a variety of game both large and small although specialized in larger game. They are known for their excellent work ethic when it comes to hunting, their fantastic endurance, and their adaptability to all types of terrain and climate. Like all scenthounds, they have a well-developed sense of smell. The “Great” in their name refers not to the size of the dog but rather by the size of the game that they primarily were used on. These hounds are rare in the United States although are more well-known overseas, where they are recognized by the FCI and the French Kennel Club. While they are recognized by the UKC in America, they are seen only infrequently.

Anglo-French Tricolors have been primarily bred for hunting and are rarely used as pets. While they can become a pet in the right circumstances, prospective owners should realize the unique needs that make them difficult to own by the general public. First and foremost, these hounds have boundless energy and need an extreme amount of exercise! Furthermore they cannot be let off lead in most circumstances as they will bolt after animals perceived as prey (or even the lingering scent of an animal). This is fine in a country setting when they are actually being used for hunting, but is a recipe for disaster in most city or suburban areas. Don’t even think about keeping this energetic hound in an apartment! Not only does an apartment not provide enough room, but neighbors will quickly become annoyed when the hound begins baying daily – a common trait of the breed.

As pack hounds, Great Anglo-French Tricolors prefer to live with other dogs. In fact, it was not uncommon for packs of several dozen to be kept together in their country of origin! Unsurprisingly, this social and happy-go-lucky hound needs almost constant company and doesn’t do well when left all alone. A prospective owner really shouldn’t consider this breed unless they plan to have at least a few hounds, which adds to the overall commitment and possible frustrations of such a scenario. To put this into perspective for a hound in a pet home – imagine a situation in which many hounds live together… and a raccoon wanders next to the fence. Even with only three or four hounds, the determination and relentless nature of all hounds baying and charging the fence is not the type of situation that most pet homes can handle!

Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hounds usually get along well with children when socialized to them, although are recommended only for families with older kids because of their high exuberance. They are affectionate and loyal with their owners while remaining fairly aloof towards strangers, although usually don’t make good watchdogs. Protecting their property isn’t normally high on their list of priorities as they would much rather patrol the yard for wild animals or even wandering cats. For obvious reasons this hound is usually not good in homes with felines. An indoor cat may or may not be safe if the hound was raised with it as a puppy, but each additional household hound increases the chances of an unhappy incident.

As might be surmised from the name, the Anglo-French Tricolor Hound is always tricolor although he can appear either with a black blanket over the body or black patches throughout. The tan is always clear and bright in color. This is a large, robust yet athletic breed with a short coat that requires brushing once or twice a week. Nails should be kept short as well as part of the regular maintenance, and ears should be cleaned weekly. After any hunting excursion (or hiking, or similar “field trip”) it’s also important to examine the hound’s ears and coat for injuries or parasites such as ticks.

The Anglo-French Tricolor needs very little special training to hunt, as he does this fairly instinctively, although he should receive an “education” in the form of obedience as well. He generally learns commands quickly and enjoys pleasing his owner, although will be less likely to work for a person whom he doesn’t respect. He tends to be very stubborn and has no qualms about refusing commands when he doesn’t feel like working (or when he thinks he can get away with it). An owner needs to be firm, patient and even more stubborn than the dog! Even if the hound is never used for actual hunting, it makes sense to sprinkle in related “jobs” to his training repertoire that mimic using his nose. Do this to make him happy and give him purpose! Without enough mental stimulation he can become hyperactive, unruly and destructive.

Photo By Canarian

The Grand Gascon-Saintongeois is a French breed, created from the now-extinct Saintongeois Hound and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. A man named Baron Joseph de Carayon-LaTour came into ownership of some of the last surviving Saintongeois Hounds (most, if not all others, were killed during the French Revolution). These dogs were bred with the Grand Bleus from a kennel owned by the Baron de Ruble, and the resulting matings spurred from two men formed the basis of this new breed. The Grand Gascon came into existence in the mid-19th century and today is a powerful scenthound with an amazing sense of smell and incredible persistence in the hunt. The breed specializes in hunting large game such as wild boar, deer and fox – and can do so even in dense vegetation.

Grand Gascons have several qualities that are seen in many scenthounds. Their deep, powerful voices can be heard from far distances which is a blessing in the hunt but possibly unsavory for those living in close proximity to their neighbors! Also like many scenthounds, they were bred to hunt both individually as well as in packs, which means they’re generally very dog-friendly. When it comes to smaller pets, however, they might not be as trustworthy as they have a strong prey drive. Cat owners be forewarned.

The Grand Gascon-Saintongeois is intelligent, particularly when it comes to hunting strategy. Off the field, however, he wants to please and can be quite obedient and even easy to train (for a scenthound)! Obedience training is an absolute necessity to make sure this large hound understands and abides by the rules of the household. Puppies should be trained to accept being alone in a crate – a skill that is invaluable to most dogs. As the Grand Gascon doesn’t like to be left home alone, he needs to learn that sometimes this is an inevitability. While the breed doesn’t do well for extended periods of alone-time day after day, he should learn that a few hours alone won’t kill him!

The Grand Gascon tends to carry himself in a dignified manner in the home, being calm and gentle with people. He is affectionate to his owners and patient when it comes to children. With strangers, he may be much more guarded until he gets to know them. Early socialization is necessary to keep him from becoming overly shy towards new people. When brought up in the correct way, however, he is an extremely sweet and loving dog who can make a wonderful companion.

Grand Gascon-Saintongeois need to live in a home with a large fenced yard. Alternatively they can be kept as outdoor kennel dogs but only as long as they are exercised daily and also taken out hunting on an extremely regular basis. These hounds need to run (and ideally hunt)! They make horrible apartment dogs because of their loud voices, large size, and need for space. Because they have always been primarily working (hunting) hounds, they have the high energy and stamina that one might expect from such a breed. As a whole, the Grand Gascon is generally a very healthy breed.

The coat of the Grand Gascon is short and tight, and is very easy to care for requiring only very infrequent bathing and brushing. It sheds only moderately. The color is always tricolor – with a white base, larger black patches and tan points. One of the most characteristic traits of this breed are the long hanging ears. Attached very low to the head, they should be exceedingly long and should reach to, or past, the point of the nose! The body should have tons of substance and plenty of muscle, and the chest should be deep. The tail is long and carried in a saber fashion.

Photo By Canarian

The Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound is a scenthound originally used to hunt wild boar and deer in large packs. They can endure difficult terrain with ease and have excellent noses for scenting game. This is one of the seven Anglo-French hound breeds – which essentially means their ancestors were mixes of French and Anglo (English) hounds combined to create an ideal hunting dog. The standard was written in 1957 at which point they were considered a purebred dog. These hounds need a job to do, specifically hunting, and for this reason they are not normally kept as solely companions. Without a chance to hunt they can become bored and very difficult to live with.

Anglo-French White and Blacks are a rare breed, not only in American but even in their home country of France. They are recognized by the UKC in the States however are rarely if ever seen. This is most likely due to their difficulty as being pets. Not only are most dog-owners not in a position to take a dog hunting, but the general public is not normally set up to house a pack of hounds or give them the tremendous amount of exercise that they need. These scenthounds were bred to have incredible stamina which is great in a hunting situation but can be a nightmare if kept in the city! This is definitely not an apartment dog!

The Anglo-French White and Black Hound is intelligent but has a persistent nature when it comes to anything having to do with hunting. This means that he is easily distracted by interesting scents making obedience training difficult. He is also independent-minded and not one for whom taking orders comes naturally. Potential owners should take note, as this is a long-lived hound which will require some degree of management and training his whole life (average lifespan is 12-14 years). Experienced owners are recommended for this large and stubborn brute!

White the Anglo-French White and Black can be gentle and friendly, this is not an overly demonstrative dog in terms of affection. Nor is it a breed known for its playfulness or, on the opposite spectrum, calmness. As might be expected from a hound bred so extensively for hunting, he puts his job before everything else. Add in the fact that he can be very loud, prone to wandering or escaping the property, and fully dependent upon a hunting lifestyle and it become apparent that this would be a horrible choice for a first-time dog owner! As this hound is also both strong-bodied and strong-willed, he shouldn’t be owned by an elderly or otherwise frail person.

Great Anglo-French White and Blacks are not the best family dogs when small children are around, but they are fine with older kids and extremely good with other dogs. In fact, having only one hound can cause issues as this breed practically requires dog companionship to be happy. It doesn’t need to be a dog of the same breed, or even the same size! Sex doesn’t normally matter either, as their super social nature makes them just as likely to bond with males and females alike. Like other scenthounds, cats or other small pets are not a great household combo because of their high prey drive. With strange people they can be aloof and wary at first, but will quickly become friendly once they warm up.

The Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound, despite the name, often has tan markings as well as the white and black patterning making this a tri-colored dog. Furthermore, blue ticking or roaning is also occasionally seen. Hounds can be seen either heavily marked (with a black blanket covering all of the back) or broken black patches across the body. The coat itself is short and dense, and sheds moderately. This is a beautiful hound that can thrive in right home and while making a fantastic hunting partner, but definitely has very specific requirements.

Photo By Alephalpha

The Grand Griffon Vendeen was bred to be a pack-hunting hound for game like stag, wild boar, deer and fox. This French scenthound is very old (with ancestors from the 16th century) and is the largest of the four Griffon Vendeen breeds. This is a sociable, outgoing dog that doubles as a top-notch hunter. He requires an owner who can give him the extensive exercise he needs, as well as who understands the quirks of owning a scenthound (independent and prone to following their noses at even the most inopportune of times). While he can be a lot to handle, he can do well for an experienced owner that understand the work that needs to be put in!

The Grand Griffon is well known for his sense of smell, and he can use it to get himself into trouble by following a variety of interesting scents! Unlike the breeds utilized to work with people, the Grand Griffon is known for his “selective deafness” when he’s hot on the trail. This means he’s a much harder dog to train, especially for the novice owner who will likely end up frustrated. It is recommended to start early and make training fun, perhaps even incorporating scentwork into his training! This breed (like many breeds) does need a job to do and requires at least basic training and mental stimulation to keep him out of trouble. Dogs that are oftentimes bored can easily become diggers, chewers, problematic barkers, and/or otherwise destructive. Keep in mind that the breed is smart… but he is also willful and needs a firm owner who understands how to work with scenthounds.

Grand Griffons are a rare breed in America and not recognized by the AKC, although they are recognized by UKC and many of the registries overseas. With a magnificent appearance, affectionate nature and easygoing personality, this is somewhat of a “hidden gem” for those who have the energy to keep up! This said, they do have some downsides as mentioned above. In addition, as with many scenthounds, the Grand Griffon doesn’t always play nicely with small animals (other than dogs), due to their hunting nature. They also can be escape artists, usually due to them following their noses over or under the fence which means containment must be secure!

Grand Griffon Vendeens are normally gentle with children, great with other dogs, don’t tend to shed profusely nor need extensive grooming. With enough exercise, they are calm in the home. They can also be protective in extreme circumstances but are otherwise docile and non-aggressive. These traits, combined with their generally happy and friendly natures – even with strangers, can lead to them being a great family dog in the right setting! Right setting meaning experienced, active owners who ideally live in homes with large fenced yards.

The active Grand Griffon requires at least an hour a day of vigorous exercise. The workout is even better if it also features ways to engage the mind as well as the body, such as hunting (preferred), agility or canicross (cross country running). Overall this is an energetic and healthy breed with few health issues in general. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, epilepsy and patellar luxation have popped up in some lines but overall most individuals are vigorous and active for many years. The average life expectancy is 12-13 years.

The coat of the Grand Griffon Vendeen is an important physical trait. It should be medium in length, coarse and hard in texture, with a dense undercoat. There should be obvious eyebrows and moustache on the face. Colors include white/black, white/orange, black/tan, fawn with black overlay, tricolor – or what are called “traditional colors” of hare, badger, wolf or wild boar. Other features of this hound include being large and robust without being overly heavy, a deep chest, domed skull, low-set and long pendulous ears, a long muzzle, and a long tail carried in a sabre fashion.

Photo By Canarian; image editing Anka Friedrich

The Polish Hound is a large scenthound breed with an excellent sense of smell and the ability to hunt in harsh environments. Developed in the middle ages by crossing Bloodhounds with local Polish breeds, at one point they were even owned by Polish nobility! When World War 2 occurred, many breeds saw a huge decrease in numbers and the Polish Hound was no exception. In an attempt to save the breed, two distinct types emerged – one lighter boned and the other with a heavier substance. It is the heavier strain that eventually succeeded in becoming the Polish Hound of today.

The Polish Hound is a slow-maturing breed mentally, and does have a stubborn streak to boot, but is definitely trainable. He is intelligent and enjoys pleasing his owners. When it comes to obedience training he does best when he thinks that training is all his idea! Make training fun, positive and consistent for best results. A bit of patience is a good trait for owners to have, particularly while the dog is still young and learning. He can be somewhat sensitive and does best when training is firm without being harsh. Finally, this is a breed that needs a job to do, so be prepared to provide this in the form of hunting, scentwork or general obedience.

The Polish Hound is always loyal and friendly to those whom he knows. He has a gentle nature and gets along well with children, with whom he is very patient. Likewise he gets along with other dogs and new people although does have a territorial streak for those who enter his property meaning he is somewhat protective without being overly aggressive. Think of him more as a watchdog than a guard dog. While his primary purpose is that of a hunting dog, he can make a fantastic companion as his energy level is more suitable for home living compared to other scenthounds.  He is a bit of a well-kept secret outside of Poland for most people have never heard of this rare breed (recognized by the UKC but not the AKC).

Although not a hyper dog, the Polish Hound does need regular exercise. At the bare minimum, a vigorous game of fetch should be played every day combined with a nice walk. More ideally, an hour of jogging the neighborhood followed up by a romp in the fenced backyard is probably a better fit for this high-stamina hunter. As a somewhat large hunting dog, he does best living in larger spaces where he can “stretch his legs”. He doesn’t necessarily demand a giant property but apartment living is not the greatest lifestyle for him. He does best with owners that are at least somewhat active and are capable of providing both physical and mental stimulation on a regular basis. Without exercise he will get bored and most likely will become very loud!

Like any breed, the Polish Hound does have some setbacks in terms of ownership. First is his enthusiasm with using his voice, which is a trait that cannot really be trained away. This is similar to other scenthounds – complete with the extra loud voice box and a gleeful penchant for frequent baying. Second, as a hunting breed he doesn’t tend to get along well with cats unless raised with them from puppyhood. Cats that live indoors are normally safer than those who are allowed outside, as an outdoor chase is often too exciting to refuse for a Polish Hound! In addition, similar to other scenthounds he is very motivated to follow his nose after exciting scents. For this reason he must be kept within the confines of a fence when not on leash.

Polish Hounds live, on average, 13-14 years. They are a very healthy breed in general and are easy to care for in terms of both health and grooming. With brushing, a once-a-week session should be sufficient to remove dead hair. On rare occasions he’ll need a bath if he’s been getting himself muddy. Make sure to clean the ears each week and check for infections – particularly if the dog often hunts or plays in heavy brush. Overall these are all easy grooming tasks that most dog owners can accomplish. Health wise, the breed isn’t known for any specific health issues although it’s not a bad idea to take precautions against bloat as they are a deep-chested breed. Bred to work long hours in adverse conditions, the breed evolved into a hardy and low-maintenance animal.

Photo CC BY 2.5

The Black Mouth Cur has an undetermined history, however it is known that they were bred as all-purpose dogs by early American settlers. They were primarily used for hunting as well as guarding, but have also been adept at tracking and even herding! This dog is courageous in nature and has energy and strength to spare – a true multi-talented working dog. Along with these attributes, he is also an extremely affectionate companion at home and adores kids – although it should be noted that his size and rough play style makes him a better match for older children rather than toddler-age.

The Black Mouth is a loyal companion gifted with an empathetic nature. Many are said to know when their owners are sad and will try to comfort them thusly. They also generally do well with other dogs and tend to make friends easily, owing to their good natures. This said, if a real threat were to show itself in the form of a home intruder or even a menacing stranger, most would flip that friendly attitude post-haste and become quite threatening themselves. There is a real guard dog hiding under this otherwise social hound! In fact it is very important that he be socialized extensively from puppyhood in order to ensure he doesn’t become aggressive without reason.

When it comes to training, the BMC is surprisingly sensitive and does not respond well to harsh methods despite his otherwise fearless character. This said, too much slack and he may just try to take advantage. Therefore training needs to be firm, yet fair. He is intelligent but may take a little extra knowledge on the owner’s part to work with him adequately. Furthermore, he has a high prey drive that can override his “training brain” if the scent or sight of a woodland creature become apparent. Utilize short sessions to hold his attention and practice all early sessions in places that aren’t likely to present distractions – adding distractions only once he’s learned the commands.

Black Mouth Curs aren’t generally recommended for novices as they are often “too much dog”. Namely, this is a very high-energy breed that requires extensive exercise every day, at very least a long walk supplemented by a vigorous run in a fenced yard daily. Apartments are a big no for this hound! Neither does he do well with those who work all day as he was bred to work with people from sunup to sundown and can get lonely, frustrated and destructive when left alone by himself constantly. Finally, like many hounds the Black Mouth Cur isn’t the best match in homes with cats or other small animals.

Black Mouths can also be difficult in other areas as well. For starters, they are not known as quiet dogs. In addition, they can be wanderers and shouldn’t be trusted to roam an un-fenced area unsupervised. The same personality traits that helped them to protect early settlers from predators such as bears and wildcats also leads to their desire to protect their territory – traits which can be more problematic in suburban areas.

BMCs are a rare breed – especially outside of the United States but unknown by many even in the U.S.A., except mostly for those living in the southern states. They are recognized by the UKC although not by the AKC. Because there are several main strains of the breed, appearances can differ quite a lot. This is one of many reasons why the breed may not be recognized by the AKC for awhile, if ever. It is thought by some that the the main canine character in the novel “Old Yeller” was a Black Mouth, and this seems to be his greatest claim to fame….except to those who live with and love these hounds, who consider their own BMCs to be the stars of their own hearts and homes.

Photo by Greg Hume