The Colombian Fino Hound, AKA the Sabueso Fino Colombiano, is an active and energetic scenthound developed to track and hunt large rodents such as the Capybara and Lowland Paca. His background is shrouded in mystery but might include the Bloodhound, the Spanish Hound, foxhound breeds, and possibly some pointing breeds as well. This very rare hound was developed over 200 years ago in Colombia and has been owned by all classes of people but more commonly kept in rural areas. As of today, he is only recognized by the Colombian Kennel Club however despite his rarity in most of the world, there were about 10,000 members of the breed in Colombia as if 2015. Super social – he is a great choice for a hunter as well as a family companion as he gets along well with both humans of all ages and other dogs. This affectionate hound also tends to love strangers so guard dog duties are probably a no-go.
Colombians are intelligent and can be trained (especially when there are no distractions around), but can be stubborn and willful if they catch the scent of prey. Owners need to be patient when it comes to obedience training! Because of their prey drive it can be hard to keep this hound in a home with cats or other small animals. Training can help mitigate some risk but an owner is taking a gamble dealing with this strong inborn trait to hunt. It is also wise to realize this breed is vocal by nature and while training may curtail it somewhat… this is unlikely to go away completely. Rather than trying to fit this hound into a home which is unsuitable, it makes sense instead to match him only with owners which fit his needs and quirks. And when it comes to training – all dogs should have at least basic obedience training and the Colombian is no exception, but many would also excel in specialized training which works to their strengths: such as scentwork or flyball!
As the Fino is quite energetic he does need regular daily exercise to keep him happy and healthy. He has a very strong sense of smell and a high aptitude for hunting which means that daily walks or jogging sessions will most likely be mixed with plenty of sniff-fests along the way! Even better – take him out hunting and you’ll see a hardworking hound emerge which is an even better form of exercise! This is not a couch potato breed by any means and does best with active owners as he needs daily outings regardless of weather. This hound won’t fare well in an apartment and needs a place with room to stretch out in addition to regular walks or hikes.
Colombian Finos come in two sizes – the standard size which reaches a top height at the withers of about 20″, and a large which reaches up to about 24″ and may be more robust. So in general the standard is a small to medium sized hound while the large is a medium to large size. The body is rectangular in proportion, with distinctively long hanging ears and a long tail which reaches beyond the hock. The muzzle is slightly short yet rectangular. The coat is smooth, shiny, and sheds only moderately. When it comes to color, the breed is allowed in black, brown, red, white and brindle, and that “different shades, tones, patterns and combinations of these colors are acceptable”.
The Fino Hound can work for a first-time dog owner (in the right situation) as he is particularly loyal and has an easy-going temperament. There are a few health issues in the breed to be aware of – primarily hip dysplasia, but most individuals are healthy and hardy. When it comes to grooming this breed is easy and only requires the occasional brushing and bath to keep the coat shiny and healthy. Otherwise he benefits from regular eye and ear cleaning – particularly ears as breeds with long hanging ears are more prone to infection. Finally, while he can be prone to become overweight through overeating, keeping him on a regular ration of food isn’t difficult for a new owner to learn to do. His friendly nature with people and other dogs is also a big plus for novice owners! As long as the prospective owner is active and ready to dedicate plenty of time to exercise this hound, it can be a wonderful pairing!
