66-77 lbs
18-21"
Hungary
The Transylvanian Hound is a black and tan scent hound and is considered to be a rare breed that originated in Hungary. He is a tenacious and successful hunter that can easily hunt on different terrains. He is also an excellent family companion when he has had proper training. Because of his exuberance, he may be too much dog for first time dog owners and he may also not be suitable for young children. He loves to play and may be too rambunctious for small children. With the proper training and enough daily exercise, he can become a fantastic pet that understands his role within the family.
It is widely accepted that the Transylvanian Hound developed during the time period when Asian hounds of unknown origin were noted accompanying the Hungarian Magyar tribes that migrated into Transylvania in the 9th century. These Asian hounds were then crossed with local Celtic hounds. Both types of hound were thought to be scent hounds. The offspring from these crosses became popular during the Middle Ages and were used for hunting in the forests of the Carpathian Mountains. Originally, there were two breed varieties: long-legged and short legged. The long-legged variety was mainly used for hunting large game such as bear, European bison, boar or lynx. The short-legged variety was mainly used for smaller game such as hare, fox or chamois. The Transylvanian Hound was mostly owned by the nobility and used for sports hunting. The middle and lower classes did not have access to these fantastic scent hounds until much later. When the region began focusing more on agriculture rather than hunting, the Transylvanian Hound teetered on the edge of extinction at the beginning of the 12th century. Breed enthusiasts took an interest in preserving the breed and worked diligently to keep the Transylvanian Hound’s bloodlines pure. This ancient breed was finally recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale in 1963. Strong efforts to preserve the breed and grow the number of registered Transylvanian Hounds began in earnest in 1968. Only the long-legged Transylvanian Hound can be found in Hungary and Romania. The short-legged variety is very difficult to locate and some even say that the original short-legged Transylvanian Hound is now extinct. In 2006, the United Kennel Club officially recognized the Transylvanian Hound. The American Kennel Club has allowed the Transylvanian Hound to be registered in its Foundation Stock Service in 2015, which is the first step towards becoming fully recognized by the AKC.
Many say the Transylvanian Hound looks like a skinny Rottweiler because of his rather distinctive black and tan coloring which is very similar to that of a Rottweiler. He has short, dense coat and his tan markings can be found along his muzzle, chest, eye brows, and feet. He may have a small patch of white on his chest. His topcoat is straight and short, fitting close to his body. The topcoat is coarse and shiny; there may be a few cowlicks within the coat. His undercoat is dense. His nose is black and wide with open nostrils. He has almond shaped eyes of medium size that are dark brown in color. His eye lids should fit closely to his eye. The Transylvanian Hound’s ears hang close to his cheek and do not fold. The ear itself is wide at the base and then slowly tapers to a rounded tip. The length should never be excessive, when his ears are pulled forward, they should just cover his eyes.
The Transylvanian Hound does not require a lot of maintenance unless he is being shown in conformation shows, then he does require a more intensive grooming regime. Even though the Transylvanian Hound has a double coat, he does not shed much except twice a year. Brush him weekly with a natural bristle brush or a soft slicker brush to remove any dead hairs. When he is shedding, bathe him using a mild shampoo to hasten the shedding process. It is best to over-bathe or the natural coarseness of his coat could be compromised. If you notice a strong doggy smell, a dry shampoo may be used and then rub him down with a soft cloth. He will smell better and his coat will shine. Because he has hanging ears, check them weekly for dirt or moisture and clean them as needed. His toenails should naturally wear if he is being used for hunting over rough terrain, otherwise check them every few weeks and trim as needed.
As with most scent hounds, the Transylvanian Hound can make a fantastic family companion when properly trained. He is happy, smart and very loyal, all wonderful characteristics for a companion. He is curious and may find himself in trouble when he picks up a scent and follows it, he can follow a scent for miles. It is important to keep him contained behind a fence or on a long leash when walking to ensure he is safe and cannot track a scent without you being there to keep him safe. Even though he is a loyal dog to his family, he can be independent in nature and expect to have time alone to discover new things. He loves games and puzzles and will play for hours with the kids. He also is a social dog and likes to play with other dogs. To keep him from developing bad habits and behavioral problems, be sure to provide plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Written by a Rough Collie lover Holly Ramsey
Published: 11/22/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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