Posavac Hound

Breed Rating

Breed Details

General

The Posavac Hound (also known as Posavaz Hound, Posavatz Hound, Posavski Gonic, Kras Posavac Basin Hound and Posavina Hound) is a medium size hunting dog originating in Croatia. It is an ancient breed that dates back to hundreds of years. Though exact origination is unknown, it is believed that this breed descended from ancient Molossian hunting dogs crossed with imported Egyptian sighthounds. It is a medium size dog that stands between 18-23 inches and weighs 38-44 lbs. It is a solidly built dog with a longer than tall body. It comes with a long, narrow head, slightly doomed forehead and round skull. Long muzzle with slightly convex nasal bridge leads to broad black or brown nose. Large eyes are dark coloured with gentle yet alert expression. Droped ears hang down close to the cheeks. The muscular body has a long back with level topline. It has broad loin, deep and broad chest with well sprung ribs and slightly tucked up belly. Average length tail is usually carried in sabre fashion. The dog has a beautiful straight and close lying, dense coat that comes in all shades of reddish wheaten, red and fawn.

This breed is NOT recognized by AKC but it is recognized by FCI and UKC.

Color

Coat color range from all shades of reddish wheaten, red and fawn. Some individuals may have an eye-catching yellow coat.

Coat

The Posavac Hound comes with a short, flat, close-fitting and dense coat.

Personality

The Posavac Hound has attained a regional popularity for its abilities as a great hunter of small and medium game as well as a great family pet. While its good nose, the surefootedness coupled with the speed and the stamina make it one mean hunter of small game and deer, its obedient, docile and affectionate nature makes it an endearing family companion. The Posavac Hound makes a great playmate of children with its gentle and playful nature while its strong bonding with its family and master makes it a very loyal and devoted family pet. Along with its wariness to strangers, the dog is equipped with a loud bark that is enough to alarm the family of any approaching stranger. This dog gets along well with other dogs but should not be left alone with smaller pets due to high prey drive. With its high exercise demands, this dog can live in an apartment life if its exercise needs can be fulfilled. It is a working breed that will be happiest when assigned some task. Along with daily walk, the Posavac Hound can be a very good jogging and hiking partner.

Care

This short-coated dog needs only occasional brushing, usually once or twice a week, to keep the coat in top condition. Bathe only when necessary. A thorough rubdown with a wet cloth will keep the coat shiny.

Training

Used to hunting independently, the dog may not easily take to training. This breed can be trained but the handler or the owner needs to have a lot of patience given that these dogs are independent thinkers. This breed is not suitable for first time dog owners. A firm owner and consistent training is necessary to establish who the leader of the pack is. It must be clearly defined that the master is the leader and that ranks of other family members must be higher than the dog.

Activity

This active and lively dog breed will need lots of physical and mental stimulation. When the dog is not hunting, it should be taken on daily walks and provided ample time in open and secure areas to play and run. As with most high energy dogs, under exercising can result in dog becoming anxious and destructive.