The Cretan Hound is a Greek breed, also sometimes referred to as the Kritikos Lagonikos. It is considered by some to be the oldest European dog breed! A very rare dog, he is recognized only in his home country of Greece as well as Germany. Considered by some to be a sighthound and by others to be a primitive hunting breed (of which there is a great overlap), he does have many sighthound physical characteristics including hare feet, a long muzzle with tight lips, and a lean frame with prominent hip bones. The tail is a distinctive breed feature, always being carried in a curve around the back (either tight or fairly loose). Another important feature are the prick ears that are able to move in any direction including folding back on themselves.
Cretans are quick and agile, and possess great stamina. They hunt both by sight as well as by scent and are known for their superb hunting skills and intense drive. If they are chasing something it can be next to impossible to call them off, so care must be taken not to let them off leash in unfenced areas. When they move – either in hunt mode or relaxed – it is always in an elegant manner. They have a curiosity about the world around them and will seek to check new things out, although will usually do so gradually and methodically, particularly with new people who they just met.
The Cretan Hound is affectionate, if not somewhat humble, to his owners as well as being polite in the home. He is clean and easy to keep as long as his needs are met. He gets along well with children and other dogs although will chase cats and small animals! The breed will bark to alert when someone comes to the door but otherwise is surprisingly quiet in everyday life. Overall this is a pleasant and easygoing companion which is tolerant to a wide variety of situations. The Cretan loves to be around others although does need early socialization in order to “function well in society”. At home, he can suffer from separation anxiety if living with an owner that is often gone, so those who work long hours would not make a good match.
Cretan Hounds are medium in size but don’t make good dogs for apartments because they need lots of room to run. While daily walks are important, they also need regular access to a large fenced area. Quite simply, they live to run! As a fairly active dog, they need exposure to activities which challenge their minds as well as bodies. This can be accomplished with games or puzzles at home or exciting adventures outside such as jogging along with a bike! Without stimulation they can become bored and develop behavior problems. Unlike related breeds, they don’t do well with a sedentary lifestyle.
Cretans can be easy to train for those that know how to work with stubborn attitudes. They are intelligent but also very adept at getting what they want… make sure it’s something that you want them to do! A lazy attitude about rules will make the training more difficult so be prepared to be somewhat firm while staying fair. Overly harsh training will definitely cause this hound to shut down and stop working.
Cretan Hounds are easy to groom with their smooth coats but they do shed a moderate amount. Baths need only be occasional unless desired by the owner. Make sure to check and clean their ears regularly, however, as large prick ears can be prone to collecting dirt and grime. As with all dogs, brush teeth and trim the nails regularly. Finally, brush the coat with a soft bristle brush at least once weekly to keep it shiny!
