Origin Hungary UKC Scenthound Scientific name Canis lupus familiaris Life span 10 – 12 years Color Black & Tan | AKC FSS Scenthound standard Hypoallergenic No Height 55 – 65 cm (Adult) | |
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FCI Group 6, Section 1.2 Scenthounds: Medium-sized #241 Temperament Loyal, Courageous, Protective, Good-natured Similar Slovenský kopov, Magyar agár, Dunker, Artois Hound, Halden Hound | ||
Transylvanian hound dog breed
The Transylvanian Hound (Hungarian: erdélyi kopó, also known as the Transylvanian Scent Hound or Hungarian Hound) is an ancient dog breed of Hungary, historically primarily used for hunting. It is a strong, medium-sized scent hound, characterized by a black body, with tan and sometimes white markings on the muzzle, chest and extremities, and distinctive tan eyebrow spots. It has a high-pitched bark for a dog of its size. The breed was rescued from extinction by focused breeding efforts in the late 20th century. There were formerly two varieties, the long-legged and short-legged, developed for different kinds of hunting in the Middle Ages. Only the long-legged strain survives.
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History
The ancestors of the Transylvanian Hound came with the invading Magyar tribes in the ninth century, who brought in hounds and crossed them with local varieties and with Polish hounds.
The dog was the favourite of the Hungarian aristocracy during the breed's peak in the Middle Ages, for hunting various game animals Two height varieties developed to hunt different game in different types of terrain, and both varieties were kept together. The long-legged variety was used for hunting woodland and grassland big game, such as European bison, bear, boar, and lynx. The short-legged variety was used for hunting fox, hare, and chamois is overgrown or rocky terrain.
The breed declined, and was marginalised to the Carpathian woodlands, shrinking with the growth of agriculture and forestry. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the breed was nearly extinct, and not recognised and standardised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) until 1963. In 1968, efforts began to save it. Today, a substantial number of the long-legged variety of the dogs may be found in both Hungary and neighboring Romania. However, only the long-legged variety remains.
The Transylvanian Hound is, naturally, recognised by the national dog breeding and fancier group, the Hungarian Kennel Club (using the FCI breed standard). The breed was recognised with a breed standard by one US-based group, the United Kennel Club (UKC), in 2006. The more prominent American Kennel Club publishes no standard for it, though the organisation at least provisionally recognises its existence, announcing its acceptance in 2015 into the AKC Foundation Stock Service Program, for breeders hoping to establishing it in the United States.
Description
The breed is classified by the FCI as a medium-sized hound, with the general characteristics of the Mid-European type, in that breed registry's classification system. The UKC classifies the breed in that registry's Scenthound group. The Translvanian Hound is hardy, and able to tolerate rough weather conditions.
Appearance and weight
The FCI publishes a detailed breed standard for the Transylvanian Hound, summarised below. The UKC standard is mostly a summary of that of the FCI; where UKC contradicts or adds to FCI specification, this has been noted.
Behavior and temperament
The breed is described by the FCI standard as "good-natured, courageous, enduring", with a basic character that is "quick, even, but also determined and lively", and the UKC standard uses similar terms.
Properly trained, the dogs can hunt comparatively independently, and at a considerable distance from handlers, singly or in groups. Hunting behaviors exhibited by the breed include tracking (by scent), pointing, and driving game.
The dog has a high-pitched, ringing bark.