The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is a breed of dog native to Croatia, used for hunting hares and other small animals. It is characterized by its elegant and athletic appearance, as well as its excellent sense of smell.
General details
The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is a medium-sized dog breed, weighing between 18 and 22 kilograms and with a height at the withers of 48 to 58 centimeters. Its average life expectancy is 12 to 13 years. According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), it belongs to Group 6, which includes tracking dogs, hounds and similar breeds.
Breed history in brief
The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is a breed of dog originating from the Istrian region of Croatia, where it has traditionally been used as a hunting dog to track and hunt different types of prey, such as wild boar and hare. Its origin dates back to the 15th century, when the region was part of the Republic of Venice. For centuries, the breed has been highly valued for its hunting ability, and has been subject to selection and improvement by local hunters.
With the advent of the modern era and the decline of hunting as a primary activity, the population of Istrian Shorthaired Hounds declined and the breed was in danger of extinction. In the 1960s, measures were taken to protect the breed and encourage responsible breeding, which has allowed the population to increase again. Today, the Istrian Shorthaired Hound is still highly valued by hunters and is also used as a companion dog in some European countries.
Breed characteristics
The Istrian Shorthaired Hound has a muscular, well-proportioned body, with a deep chest and a straight, strong back. They also have a long, slender tail, which is held low and straight in a resting position, and lifts slightly in motion. Their ears are long and drooping, and their eyes are large and expressive.
Its coat is short, dense and glossy, with a soft texture to the touch. The color of its coat is generally tricolor, with a combination of white, black and brown.
The Istrian Hound is characterized by being lively, sweet and obedient, which makes it an excellent family companion. They are also very loyal to their owners, although they can be wary of strangers. They are highly trainable dogs and usually emit intense and melodic barks.
Common health problems
Some of the most common diseases in this breed are hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and Von Willebrand's disease, which is an inherited bleeding disorder. They can also be prone to ear infections due to their floppy ears and skin problems such as atopic dermatitis.
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