| Other names | Erdélyi kopó Transylvanischer Laufhund Ungarische Bracke Copoi ardelenesc Transylvanian Bloodhound Hungarian Hound Transylvanian Scenthound |
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| Country of origin | Hungary | |||||||||
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| Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||||
The Transylvanian Hound is an ancient Hungarian dog breed, which was primarily used for hunting.[1]
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The Transylvanian Hound came with the invading Magyar tribes in the ninth century, who brought in hounds and crossed them with local breeds and Polish hounds.
He was used in hunting wolf and bear[2] The breed was kept by Hungarian kings and princes for hunting various game (i.e. foxes, boar, etc.). In the beginning of the twentieth century, the breed was nearly extinct and in 1968 new efforts began to save it. The only area outside of Hungary where it exists is in Romania.
The breed was developed in the Carpathian Mountains, an area rich in forests, meadows, and rivers. Thus it can be used to hunt over any type of terrain, even during frozen winters, or sultry summers. The two varieties are used for different specialised purposes. The long-legged variety is for hunting boar, stag, and lynx, while the short-legged variety is for hunting smaller burrowing animals, especially fox and hare.
| Transylvanian Hound appearance | ||
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| Weight: | 66-77 pounds (30-35 kg.) | |
| Height: | 18-21 inches (46–53 cm.) | |
| Coat: | Short and coarse | |
| Color: | Red and tan (with a brown nose); small amounts of white acceptable | |
| Ears: | hanging, without folds | |
| Tail: | hanging (at rest), twisted on its back (during the hunt) | |
| Limbs: | well-constructed, always ready to spring | |
| Life span: | max. 12 years | |
The breed is of medium size weighing 66-77 pounds. The limbs of this breed are well-constructed, always ready to spring. It has a short but not pointed head, with a straight nose and strong well-developed teeth. The eyes are oblique and dark brown in colour. The ears are hanging, and without folds. The tail is hanging when it is at rest, and it becomes twisted on its back during the hunt. The breed has unwrinkled skin. Its coat is short, strong, and close to the body.
There are two varieties of the Transylvanian hound, which determine the height and colour:
The breed is extremely loyal and friendly. They are very good natured and well mannered with both people and other dogs. They form strong attachments to their owners and are very protective of family members. It is very protective of its immediate territory (i.e. owners' house and yard), and will appear very ferocious with an intimidating bark and growl towards strangers; however, it will immediately accept anyone who is invited into the area by its owners. They enjoy constant companionship and tend to remain in the presence of their owners. They have an excellent sense of direction.
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