Transylvanian Hound

The Transylvanian Hound, which is believed to be the result of various crosses between Magyar, Hungarian and Polish dogs, is a breed that has adapted to the climatic conditions and terrain of Transylvania as well as to the traditions of Hungarian hunting. In the Middle Ages, the ancestors of the breed constitute the preferred hunting dog of the nobility. The development of agriculture and forestry pushed the use of the Transylvanian Hound into the Carpathian mountains and forests. The variability of the terrain led to the formation of two size varieties, historically raised together. The large Transylvanian Hound is used for hunting large game such as bears, wild boars and lynx and the small variety for small game such as hares and foxes in covered terrain and chamois in open terrain. The populations of the Transylvanian Hound declined and at the beginning of the 20th century, the breed was almost extinct. In 1968, efforts were undertaken to preserve the large variety, which is now fairly widespread in Hungary and Romania. The small Transylvanian Hound is extinct.

The Transylvanian Hound is described in the FCI standard as well-composed. It is a courageous and tenacious dog, calm and balanced, but also firm and full of temperament. Affectionate with its master, it is an easy dog to train and undemanding, ready to defend its master if needed.

The Transylvanian Hound is a medium-sized brachet, adapted for working over long distances and built like an athlete. Set at mid-height, the strong tail exceeds by one to two centimeters the point of the hock. At rest, the lower third of the tail is slightly curved upward; in action, the tail is curved above the line of the back, without being curled. The fairly long head without being pointed has a slightly domed skull with an occipital protuberance and poorly developed eyebrow arches and a slight stop. Set at mid-height, the short ears fall without fold along the cheeks. They widen from the attachment to narrow toward their rounded tip. Of medium size, the almond-shaped eyes and slightly slanting, are dark brown in color. The coat is brilliant, short, tight, straight and well laid, with undercoat. The coat is coarse to the touch. It is longer on the neck, withers, the back of the thighs and the underside of the tail. It may form spikes and crests. The base color of the coat is black. The clearly defined tan markings are found at the eyebrows (in the form of a point) as well as at the muzzle and on the limbs. White markings may be found on the muzzle, on the neck, on the chest, the limbs and the tip of the tail.