Transylvanian Hound Dogs

The Transylvanian Hound is a hunting dog that specialized in doing its work away from its handler, alone or in the company of another specimen. Thanks to its great sense of smell, it stands out especially in locating and following trails. When it finds one, it warns by barking. It is an ancient breed that was developed based on the characteristics of the terrain, the climate and the type of hunting that was wanted to be practiced. It is so old that its presence in the Middle Ages is already known. In fact, it was a dog highly appreciated by the nobles, who were those who hunted with Transylvanian hounds.

Over the years it lost presence and popularity, in addition to dividing into two varieties, one large and one small . Depending on this size, they were destined for hunting large or small game, respectively. Its decline continued until in the 20th century it was considered almost extinct. It was not until 1968 when breeding of the larger variety was resumed, obtaining a significant number of specimens in Romania and Hungary. The small variety has disappeared .

The International Cynological Federation (FCI) includes it in group VI, the one intended for hound, trail and similar type dogs. Specifically, it belongs to section 1.2, corresponding to medium-sized hounds. Has proof of work.

Like other bloodhound dogs, the Transylvanian Hound is powerful and well muscled . Although the variety that has survived to this day is the large one, it is a medium-sized dog , with a height at the withers of 55-65 cm and a minimum weight of 25 kg. However, there are differences between males and females. We highlight the following physical characteristics of the Hungarian Hound:

• Head : elongated, with the skin close together without forming wrinkles. The skull is slightly domed and the stop is not very marked. The nose is black and has large windows. The muzzle is straight. It has strong jaws and teeth, with a scissor bite. The eyes are medium-sized and almond-shaped, slightly oblique and dark brown. The ears hang, without wrinkles, close to the cheeks. Its edge is rounded. As for length, they do not usually exceed the eyes. The neck stands out for its muscles and the skin may be somewhat loose in this area.
• Body : It is elongated and has a marked cross. The back is well muscled and the loin may be somewhat longer in females. The rib cage is wide, which allows it to have good lung capacity. The abdomen looks slightly gathered.
• Tail : it is strong. When the dog is at rest, it makes a small upward curve.
• Legs : they look straight and powerful. The feet are large, with arched toes, close together and strong. The ear pads are large and well padded. The nails are preferably black.
• Coat : the hair is short, straight, shiny and dense, forming swirls and ridges. There are areas where it is a little longer, such as the neck, the withers or the tail on the inside. It has a sublayer.

Transylvanian Hound Colors

The coat color of this hound is basically black with a tan mark over the eyes . We can also find fire on the snout and limbs. In addition, there may be a white spot on the nose, which in some specimens becomes a line that runs along the forehead and neck. In others, instead of a line, there will be a button on the chest, limbs and feet. The tip of the tail may also be white.

The Transylvanian Hound is a balanced dog , with great courage, determination and perseverance . If we meet its needs on a physical and intellectual level, we will obtain an excellent companion animal, even in homes with small children, with whom it can establish a good relationship. He is very loyal . Furthermore, although it can live in houses with land, it also adapts to apartments in cities, we insist, if we provide it with the stimulation it needs to prevent behavioral problems from arising due to stress or boredom. He also manages to live in harmony with other dogs.

We have said that the breed was developed for hunting, but currently, in addition to being a companion dog, it is also performing guard duties taking advantage of its protective nature. For these reasons, it is not unusual for them to be distrustful in the presence of strangers. They are not aggressive dogs, but they are territorial . They do not show their affection excessively, but they do enjoy the company of their family.

We examine, in more detail, basic aspects in the care of Transylvanian hounds:

• Food : it must be of quality and be based on protein of animal origin. It is important to offer the amounts depending on the activity that the dog develops. If you practice intense exercise, we can opt for a high-energy diet .
• Exercise : It is essential to keep the Transylvanian Hound active both physically and intellectually. This implies that he must walk and exercise daily , for example running, but he also needs challenges for his intelligence. For example, we can use interactive toys or suggest that he look for objects or people by following trails, which is ideal for putting his good sense of smell to work. The simple game of throwing a ball for him to return can also be a good option to interact with him and help him burn off his energy. In this post we share Intelligence games for dogs at home .
• Hygiene : caring for your coat is simple and requires nothing more than brushing from time to time . The same thing happens with baths, so they can be left for when the animal is really dirty, always using specific products for dogs and drying it very well. We will also regularly check the eyes, ears, teeth and nails, in case it is necessary to clean them or, in the case of nails, cut them. A special point of attention in this breed is the ears, because they are hanging. In this article we explain how to clean a dog’s ears .

The Transylvanian Hound is an intelligent dog , which potentially makes it a good student when it comes to learning, even if only basic obedience commands. This intelligence makes it easy to teach, but, together with his tenacious character, it can complicate learning if we are not constant, patient and firm. In other words, you have to dedicate time to achieve good results, always with positive reinforcement.

On the other hand, good socialization is essential to adapt to different situations and people. Thus, from the moment it arrives home we must expose it to different environments, vehicles, scenarios, people, animals, etc. It’s a good way to reduce your tendency to distrust strangers and prevent it from becoming a problem.

If you have just adopted a Transylvanian Hound puppy or are going to do so, we recommend that you consult this article: ” How to train a puppy? “. If, on the other hand, you are going to adopt an adult dog, don’t miss this other one: ” How to train an adult dog? “.

We are facing a dog of great strength and resistance, capable of withstanding even extreme atmospheric conditions. This strength also translates into good health, although it can suffer from diseases and parasitic infestations like any other dog, especially if we do not follow the vaccination and internal and external deworming schedule recommended by the veterinarian. Preventive medicine is essential to preserve good health and maintain quality of life throughout the years. This includes attending veterinary check-ups as frequently as this professional prescribes and, in general, castrating the animal before its first year of life.

On the other hand, there are some pathologies to which there may be a certain predisposition and which we must monitor, such as hip or elbow dysplasia . Also, depending on the activity carried out, we may find lesions on the legs or foreign bodies and parasites , especially if we go out through mountain areas. Its pendulous ears make it more prone to infections. Their life expectancy is around 10-14 years.

It is not very easy to adopt a Transylvanian Hound. The specimens are usually in their country of origin and sold, so it is not common to find them in kennels or animal shelters. What we will find in these entities is all types of hounds and their crosses, of all ages and, many of them, with characteristics very similar to those that make the Transylvanian hound special. Everyone deserves an opportunity regardless of their breed, so we recommend visiting the animal shelters near your place of residence to choose a dog that adapts to your lifestyle, regardless of its breed.